Stunning landscapes, gorgeous beaches and a vibrant local culture are why so many of us continue to flock to the Indonesian island of Bali. Popular with hikers, surfers, and sunbathers, it’s one of the world’s favourite holiday destinations. Last year alone, the island welcomed over 2 million tourists.
However, this popularity has its downsides. This year so far, authorities have issued a ban on tourists renting motorbikes and have also proposed a ban on mountain climbing (formerly two of the best things to do in Bali), all because tourists have taken things too far.
But despite the restrictions, people are still misbehaving – and now authorities are cracking down on disrespectful behaviour with a brand new task force, which plans on conducting 100 ‘control operations’ per month.
163 foreigners have reportedly been removed from the island between January and June this year for committing various transgressions. That includes a woman posing nude in front of a sacred tree and someone exposing themselves during a ceremony at a Hindu temple.
Indonesia’s immigration chief Silmy Karim hopes the task force will lead to a vast reduction in this disrespectful behaviour.
‘The main problem regarding foreigners in Bali is the large number of foreign tourists with low spending who often make trouble,’ he said, according to the South China Morning Post.
From mid-2024, visitors entering Bali will have to pay a tourist tax of 150,000 rupiah (£7.75, $9.88). The aim is to promote more sustainable tourism and support the local Balinese economy – after all, the bans on popular tourist activities have had a detrimental effect on some businesses. Officials are hoping this will help shift the island to a more high-end destination.
But if you have a trip booked to Bali, don’t worry. These control operations are not meant to interfere with day-to-day activities, so your trip to the Land of the Gods won’t be disrupted. As long as you don’t flash anybody, that is.
Did you see that this European country is fining people €36,000 for playing music on the beach?
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