Bali’s leaders are considering a US$10 (AU$14) charge on foreign visitors that would be used towards funding the island’s environmental and cultural preservation projects.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster is believed to be behind the levy, which he claims will give the popular tourist destination “better fiscal space” to fund programmes and develop the destination.
Speaking at the Bali Legislative Council, the Governor said he doesn’t believe the tax would discourage visitors as they’ll understand its purpose for preservation, The Strait Times reported.
Image: Artem Bali/Unsplash
“They will be happy to pay it as it will be used to strengthen our environment and culture.”
Wayan Koster, Bali Governor
Should the visitor fee be approved by the destination’s Legislative Council, it would only be enforced on foreign visitors, not domestic travellers.
The council is also looking at ways to collect the tax such as adding it to airline fares or collecting it at a special counter at the airport.
Image: Jon Tyson/Unsplash
Preservation of land and culture has become of increasing importance to Bali’s local leaders who introduced a ban on damaging single-use plastics on 21 December 2018. The ban prohibits the use of single-use plastic bags, styrofoam and straws.
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