Tourists traveling to Bali can expect to see more emphasis on paying the tourism tax.
The Bali Tourism Tax Levy is just one of many tourism-related taxes in Bali and Indonesia, but more than half of all international tourists are failing to pay despite the policy being in place for over a year.
The Bali Provincial Government has been reflecting on tax revenue and economic targets. The Gerindra-PSI faction of the Bali Provincial Government assesses that the target of Bali Tourism Tax Levy (PWA) on the 2025 Bali Regional Budget Amendment proposed by the Bali Provincial Government is still far from its true potential.
Speaking to reporters, the Bali Senator I Kadek Diana told reporters, “The PWA budgeted was Rp400 billion, which increased from the realization for 10.5 months in 2024, which amounted to Rp317.88 billion; however, we believe that the PWA budget in changes is still far from the true potential.”
The Senator explained that based on the data from 2024, international tourist visits reached 6,333,360. Working on the assumption that the number of visits in 2025 will be the same or more, at least IDR 950 billion could be generated by the Bali Tourism Tax Levy fee alone.
Senator Kadek Diana told reporters that she sees the need for serious efforts in implementing Bali Regional Regulation Number 6 of 2023 to increase the target from IDR 400 billion to at least IDR 747.15 billion by the end of the year.
She noted, “That is only 78,65 percent of the potential of Rp950 billion or up by Rp347 billion, exactly with the effort to cover the deficit that will be closed from regional loans of Rp347.15 billion.”
Adding “We believe that through hard work and the spirit of togetherness, the ranks of the Bali Provincial Government will be able to realize the planned target, even specifically for the PWA set at IDR 400 billion, will be realized beyond the target.”
The Deputy Governor of Bali, Nyoman Giri Prasta, shared his support for increased focus on ensuring the Bali Tourism Tax Levy is collected effectively. He told the Senators meeting. “This will be done with a new [provincial policies], namely, there is cooperation with other parties, and the goal is to adopt today’s incremental goals. How can this target of IDR 400 billion be increased to IDR 700 billion or 100 percent?”
He concluded, “Of course, with a third party, it will add strength, and we make sure that the third party will get a percentage of incentives.”
Tourists can expect to see a shake-up in the way in which they process their payment in the near future if a third-party provider takes over the system; for now, however, the system remains as it has been for the last 17 months.
Although the Bali Tourism Tax Levy has been in effect since 14th February 2024, the fee is still largely unknown to many tourists who visit the island.
The mandatory fee of IDR 150,000 is expected to be paid by all international tourists, including children, before their departure from the province.
The easiest way to make the payment is to visit the LoveBali website, where travellers can process the Bali Tourism Tax Levy fee for multiple travellers at a time. Applicants must have the email addresses and passport numbers of each traveler ready.
It is also possible to make the payment via the LoveBali app, though the desktop site is the preferred option.
Applicants should be aware that, much like the Official Indonesia Immigration website, the site won’t load if a VPN or ad-blocker is running on the browser.
The alternative way to pay is upon arrival at I GUsti Ngurah Rai International Airport. Tourists will see the dedicated Bali Tourism Tax Levy counter in the arrivals hall. Upon successful payment, tourists are issued with a QR-code voucher that they must keep close by throughout their time in Bali and should present it to police, tourism officers, or relevant authorities upon request.
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