A Week Of Foreign Tourist Charges, Bali Provincial Government Pockets IDR 8.1 Billion

ILLUSTRATION/Pantai Melasti Badung Bali/DOK ANTARA

DENPASAR - Almost a week of levies of IDR 150 thousand for foreign tourists (tourists) to the Island of the Gods, the Bali Provincial Government has pocketed around IDR 8.1 billion

Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, said the income figure was based on the data he got since the official foreign tourists levy took effect on February 14, 2024, until today.

"As of this morning, almost 54 thousand data entered (tourists paid levies), nearly Rp. 8.1 billion," he said, Monday, February 19.

Most of Wisman pay the average levy using online by paying to the Love Bali application which is directly connected to the typical Bali Provincial Government account.

"Most of them are online. Love Bali is directly included in the provincial government account. Payments via online Love Bali pay. Pay online before he (tues to) Bali, he has already paid," he added.

Pungutan wisman nantinya akan masuk sebagai APBD dan diatur oleh Badan Pendapatan Daerah (Bapenda) Provinsi Bali, sesuai regulasi.

"It has entered the regional treasury. Enter the regional treasury, please implement the APBD mechanism. Later, the mechanism for using Bappeda will be compiled in accordance with the regulation," he said.

Regarding the foreign tourists mechanism that enters the Island of the Gods using cruise ships and through a number of ports in Bali and through the Domestic Terminal of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali, it has also been arranged.

"We have prepared those at special ports to cruise ships. We have met with the ship agent. Ship agent pays to us, it is easier. Meanwhile, in other ports, Bank BPD Bali will open a counter, but (tourists who enter the port) are not very much," he said.

"(At the Domestic Terminal) we have informed the domestic airline, so they can pay through Love Bali. Indeed, in the domestic area we have not installed a counter. Some even want to pay directly to our commissioners. So enthusiastic people pay," he said.

By 2024, Dispar targets foreign tourists visiting Bali to reach 6 million people or the same before the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Meanwhile, from our target last year (2023) 4.5 million was increased to 5 million. But with this (village fees) maybe 6 million, at least the same as in 2019, which is 6.3 million or 6.5 million," he said.