Bali Socializes Foreign Tourist Levy to Indonesian Representatives Abroad
- 24 Januari 2024
- 20:01 WITA
- News
DENPASAR, Balitopnews.com - Facilitated by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in this case the Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy, the Bali Provincial Government socialized the plan to implement levies on foreign tourists (tourists) to officials of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) spread across various countries on Wednesday (January 24, 2024).
In the first session, outreach targeted Indonesian Embassy officials in the Americas and the Pacific region. Next, for the second session which was held in the afternoon, the socialization of foreign tourist levies involved Indonesian Embassy officials in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Held virtually, Bali Provincial Secretary Dewa Made Indra together with the relevant OPD leaders took part in socialization activities from the videocon room of the Bali Governor's Office.
Meanwhile, a number of officials from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indonesian Embassy in various countries followed from their respective positions. On this occasion, Regional Secretary Dewa Made Indra expressed his gratitude for the quick response from the ranks of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in following up on the letter from The Acting. Governor of Bali regarding the request to facilitate the socialization of foreign tourist levies through the Indonesian Embassy. "Thank you because the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has facilitated meetings with Indonesian Embassy officials based in various countries. For us, this is an honor," he said.
He further explained that the implementation of tourist levies has a strong and complete legal umbrella, namely Law Number 15 of 2023 concerning the Province of Bali which was issued in Bali Provincial Regulation Number 6 of 2023 concerning Levies for Foreign Tourists for the Protection of Bali's Culture and Natural Environment and Regulations Governor of Bali Number 36 of 2023 concerning Procedures for Payment of Levies for Foreign Tourists. "The Law on the Province of Bali allows the Bali Region to impose levies on foreign tourists because we do not have natural resources in the form of mining products, so up to now Bali's economy has depended a lot on the tourism sector. "The center then appreciated the fiscal strengthening through the implementation of this levy on foreign tourists," he explained. Regarding the implementation of tourist levies, the Bali Provincial Government has prepared various things so that this policy can run well and prevent conflicts that cause inconvenience for tourists. "In preparation, we carry out mitigation as best as possible and continue to improve coordination with various relevant stakeholders," he added while saying that Disparda as the leading sector is intensifying outreach and expanding communication with representatives of friendly countries and tourism components. In line with this, the Bali Provincial Government has also built communication with airlines and cruise ship management that have shipping routes to the Island of the Gods. In another part, Regional Secretary Dewa Indra emphasized that the Bali Provincial Government is open to receiving input and suggestions so that the implementation of the tourist levy does not disturb the comfort of foreign tourists and damage Bali's image in the international world. In its implementation, the Bali Provincial Government is committed to updating information to facilitate the payment process.
The socialization activity also included a presentation from the Head of Communication, Informatics and Statistics of Bali Province, Gede Pramana. In his presentation, Gede Pramana conveyed the exemption from levies for holders of diplomatic visas and service visas, crew on transportation equipment, holders of Temporary Level Permit Cards (KITAS) and Permanent Stay Permit Cards (KITAP), holders of family reunification visas and student visas. Apart from that, there are also exceptions obtained through the application process for holders of golden visas or other visas outside of tourist visits related to official affairs, citizenship and benefits for the development of Bali and the State of Indonesia. "For this type of exception, the application is submitted at least 5 days before entering Bali," he said. He added that levies will be served through several mechanisms, namely direct payment by tourists through the LoveBali system which can be accessed via the website and mobile devices based on iOS and Android. Apart from that, the Bali Provincial Government also facilitates onsite payments at the airport via special counters. "Another mechanism is an endpoint that is facilitated by cruise, travel, accommodation and tourist destination agents," he said while informing that Diskominfos Bali had taken the necessary steps to maintain the security of the data of tourists who make online payments. Adding to the explanation from the Head of Communication and Information, the Head of Tourism Marketing, Bali Disparda, Ida Ayu Indah Yustikarini, emphasized that this levy applies to all foreigners who come to Bali with the aim of traveling. "This levy applies to toddlers to the elderly, there is no age limit," he said. To avoid long queues at the counters that will be opened at the airport, Dayu Indah appealed to foreign tourists to make payments before arriving on the Island of the Gods via the LoveBali system. The socialization also included an explanation of the role of BPD Bali as the Bank Holding Regional General Cash Accounts (RKUD) in supporting the successful implementation of levies for foreign tourists. Director of Operations and IT at BPD Bali Bank, Ida Bagus Gede Setia Yasa, said that as RKUD Bank, BPD Bali plays a role in expanding the Bali Province Regional Government Transaction Electronification (ETPD) ecosystem. "The appointment of BPD Bali as the perception bank for foreign tourist levies is in line with the role of the RKUD," he said. On that occasion, Setia Yasa also explained the collection mechanisms and techniques that would be facilitated by BPD Bali.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Siti Nugraha Mauludiah, hopes that this socialization activity will provide clear information for Indonesian Embassy officials who are spearheading the socialization of the foreign tourist levy program.
On that occasion, Siti Nugraha also reminded that the implementation of this levy should be managed well to maintain the momentum for the recovery of the tourism sector after the Covid-19 pandemic, which has so far gone very well. Citing UNWTO records, she said that globally the recovery of the tourism sector had reached 90 percent. "The same thing also applies to Bali, even in 2023 its achievements will exceed the target," she said. Next, Siti Nugraha also touched on the development of the national tourism sector which is currently directed at quality tourism. "We hope that we will implement the tourist levy, the funds of which will be used for culture and the environment, to support the realization of quality tourism," she said. Concluding her explanation, Siti Nugraha reminded the importance of paying attention to implementation in the field so that this policy does not cause negative sentiment for the Bali tourism sector. The socialization event received a positive response from all Indonesian representatives abroad. The Indonesian Embassy's staff is committed to helping carry out socialization in their places of duty. (Rls/Btnc)
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