Bali considers a tourist tax

As one of the world’s most beautiful islands, Bali is known for lush beaches, historic temples and UNESCO-listed rice fields.

But its world-renowned beauty has also caused problems for Bali as the island copes with overtourism.

According to data from the Indonesian government, Bali – the country’s most-visited island – hosted 5.7 million international visitors in 2017. Final data for 2018 has not yet been announced, but the numbers are believed to be considerably higher.

Many of those visitors left behind trash, including single-use plastics, much of which filled landfills or washed up on pristine beaches.

While tourism brings money into the community, it can also strain local sanitation resources and contribute to erosion and environmental damage.

The way that overtourism was affecting the local community was addressed in an episode of “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” that aired in October 2018.

But there is one possible solution.

The Jakarta Post reports that the Balinese regional government has drafted a bylaw imposing a $10 tax on foreign tourists to be charged upon leaving the country.

“Tourists come to enjoy our environment and culture. Why not contribute to preserving it?” says I Nyoman Adi Wiryatama, who is the head of Bali’s provincial parliament.

Karma Beach: Secret beach connoisseurs should start their Bali beach hopping journey on the Bukit peninsula -- the egg-shaped bulge that protrudes from the bottom. Here's where you'll find Karma Beach, a private beach club with stylish bungalows and a glorious cliff-top spa.

Thomas Beach: Thomas Beach sits between two of Bukit's most iconic surf breaks, Uluwatu and Padang Padang. It has golden sands, turquoise waters and sculpted rock formations framed by towering cliffs.

Kedungu Beach: Out of Bali's wealth of dark sand beaches, Kedungu, a surfing beach not far north of the famous sea temple at Tanah Lot, is ripe for discovery.

Nusa Penida: For pristine -- and largely unfrequented -- beaches it's worth heading off the mainland to Nusa Penida, around 40 minutes by speedboat from the port at Sanur. Its limestone coast has eroded into spectacular forms -- natural arches, broken bays, sea caves, freestanding pillars and more.

Tugel Bias Beach: Tugel Bias, a little cove just south of the ferry port at Padangbai is one of Bali's cutest white sand beaches.

Nyang Nyang Beach: Nyang-Nyang is another classic, concealed beach that delivers the Bukit trifecta of golden sands, rugged cliffs and turquoise ocean.

Bali's best quiet beaches

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Before making the move, Bali’s Udayana University’s school of hospitality and tourism organized a study where they polled international visitors on whether they’d be willing to contribute money toward the preservation of the island. Sixty percent of them said yes.

And Indonesia is not the only country experimenting with a similar fee.

Japan recently voted to impose a “departure tax” for foreign travelers. The fee is ￥1,000, or about $9, and will go toward the cost of building and maintaining tourist infrastructure. The tax went into effect in January 2019 and applies to visitors leaving by air or sea.

In December 2018, the Taj Mahal hiked its ticket prices and limited the amount of time that visitors can spend at the site as a form of “flood control” to manage the popular destination.

Visitors who spend only a day in Venice, Italy – such as those who come via cruise ship – are being charged about $11 for visiting the city, a tax that was imposed to make up for the loss of hotel revenue.

European cities like Dubrovnik and Barcelona have instituted similar measures. And odds are good that more will follow.