Overtourism is a phenomenon that is being experienced around the world. From Barcelona and Lisbon to the Galapagos Islands and Boracay, with travel and tourism more accessible to the global population than ever, some destinations are getting a little out of hand.
In Bali, there is a general feeling that the specific resorts in the central south of the island are on the brink of overtourism. As the province grapples with creating a sustainable future for all, could the island learn a thing or two from European cities that have implemented a novel approach to a potentially disastrous problem?
Copenhagen is one of many European cities that has introduced a novel way to not only prevent overtourism but also make tourists play a useful and impactful role in the daily lives of local people.
In 2024, the Danish capital launched a pilot program called CopenPay. The system encourages tourists to behave more mindfully as they travel through the city, mindfully in terms of the environment and the impact their presence may have on residents.
Speaking to reporters at the time of the program launch the Director of Marketing at Wonderful Copenhagen, Rikke Holm Petersen, shared ”We want tourism to be a force for positive change and not an environmental burden.” Adding ”When you go traveling, you sometimes forget the good habits you have at home. We want to inspire a more conscious, sustainable mindset and behavior amongst travelers.”
The program incentivises tourists with free or discounted activities and entry to attractions throughout the city in return for picking up litter or even volunteering in community gardens and allotments.
Livia Urban Swart Haaland, founder of Oens Have Gardens in Copenhagen, told reporters about the impact the program had on her organization and on her personally.
She shared how having tourists come by for a few hours to volunteer with weeding, deadheading flowers, and gentle garden tasks allows people to experience deeper connections.
Haaland explained, “We’re just happy that people have the opportunity to join in who wouldn’t have heard about it. I think it’s really nice when you travel to contribute and go a little deeper into the culture.”
With the pilot program a resounding success, the novel solutions realized in Denmark could offer a glimmer of hope for destinations like Bali, which are seeking to promote more culturally respectful and sustainable tourism.
At present one of the biggest mitigations in place to help tackle the risks of overtourism in Bali is the Bali Tourism Tax Levy. Also introduced in 2024, the Bali Tourism Tax Levy is a mandatory IDR 150,000 per person fee for all international tourists. Though the fee is mandatory, data showed that in the first year of the initiative as few as 35% of international arrivals made their contribution.
Leaders in Bali have been open about where the scheme needs improvement in both the front and back end.
From a tourist perspective, it is an additional item to add to the pre-arrival checklist. Though it is possible to pay online prior to arrival or during a stay on the island, the LoveBali website and app are not very widely known as the place where payment should be made.
Tourists can pay their fees at Bali Airport on arrival, but again, many have noted that it is simply not convenient to do so. With no legal ramifications or fines for not paying, tourists have little incentive to make the contribution.
Leaders in Bali created the Bali Tourism Tax to help ‘nuture nature’, ‘preserve culture’ and level up infrastructure across the island.
As the Bali Tourism Tax enters its second year, tourists are reminded to pay their payment prior to arrival and to keep their QR-code voucher close by when out and about in Bali, ready to show Tourism Task Force Officers should they be conducting a spot check.
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