The Acting Governor Bali Mahendra Jaya Launches Foreign Tourist Levy Program
- 12 Februari 2024
- 21:02 WITA
- News
DENPASAR, Balitopnews.com - The Acting Governor of Bali S.M. Mahendra Jaya launched the Foreign Tourist Levy (PWA) program for the Protection of Bali's Culture and Natural Environment, Monday (February 12, 2024).
The launch of the Foreign Tourist Levy program which was held at the Puri Santrian Hotel, Sanur, was marked by the action of directing the palm of the hand to the LED screen by The Acting Governor of Bali, who was attended by the Head of the Bali Tourism and Tourism Department, Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun, the Chairman of the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI) Bali, Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, the Chairman of the Regional Tourism Promotion Agency (BPPD) of Bali Province who is also the Chairman of the Bali PHRI, Prof. Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, President Director of PT. BPD Bali Nyoman Sudharma and Head of BI Representative for Bali Province R. Erwin Soeriadimadja.
This launch event officially marks the implementation Of The Foreign Tourist Levy
which will begin to be implemented on Wednesday ( February 14, 2024) at 00.00 WITA. Starting from that date, foreign tourists entering the Island of the Gods will be subject to a fee of IDR 150,000. In order to expedite the collection process, foreign tourists are advised to make cashless payments before leaving for Bali by accessing the Love Bali system or other integrated applications.
Mahendra Jaya in his speech said that the launch of the Foreign Tourist Levy program was a strategic momentum to strengthen the foundation of Bali's culture-based tourism. He added that so far the Bali Provincial Government has been pursuing programs to protect Bali's culture and natural environment. "But we realize that the program is still limited because it is constrained by the fiscal capacity of the Provincial APBD," he said.
However, according to him, there are still many programs that need to be carried out, such as protecting and restoring the lontar heritage and various cultural, traditional and artistic sites. Then, to protect Bali's natural environment, more serious efforts are needed in overcoming the problem of waste, reforestation, controlling and utilizing regional spatial planning and many other things that need to be done to improve the quality of services and organizing tourism. Mahendra Jaya further hopes that them The Foreign Tourist Levy program will be able to boost the fiscal capacity of the Bali Provincial Government so that it can do more to protect Bali's culture and natural environment, including improving tourist attractions, infrastructure, roads and increasing tourism promotion. In another part, he also announced the timing of them
The Foreign Tourist Levy launching which seemed late because it was carried out close to the time of its implementation. According to him, this is due to the precautionary attitude and various preparations that must be made so that its implementation does not disturb the comfort of foreign tourists. "After carrying out the simulation, we realized that there would be discomfort for tourists who come to Bali. "Because after taking a long flight, when they enter Bali they have to queue to pay VoA, the immigration process, customs, and additionally queue to pay The Foreign Tourist Levy," he explained. Therefore, his party then revised the Gubernatorial Regulation so that
The Foreign Tourist Levy payments do not have to be made at the entrance to Bali, but can be done before departure and at end points (hotels and tourist destinations).
Still in his speech, Mahendra Jaya also informed the legal basis for implementing The Foreign Tourist Levy, namely Law Number 15 of 2023 concerning the Province of Bali, especially Article 8 paragraphs (3) and (4) which are further regulated by Bali Province Regional Regulation Number 6 of 2023 concerning Levies. For Foreign Tourists to Protect Bali's Culture and Natural Environment, and Bali Governor Regulation Number 2 of 2024 concerning Procedures for Payment of Levies for Foreign Tourists. In line with the implementation of The Foreign Tourist Levy, the Bali Provincial Government is also trying to improve the quality of tourism services and implementation. Specifically to increase the security and comfort of tourists, the Bali Provincial Government has appointed members of the Special Tourism Satpol PP. Satpol PP specifically for tourism is tasked with helping to provide information and assistance to tourists as well as assisting in mapping potential vulnerabilities and then together with relevant stakeholders to find the root of the problem and then formulate a solution. Concluding his remarks, the man who previously served as Special Staff to the Minister of Home Affairs for Security and Legal Affairs expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the support shown by various parties so that this The Foreign Tourist Levy program could be launched before it began to be implemented on February 14 2024.
He was optimistic that this program could run well. because from the results of his observations, foreign tourists who want to travel to Bali show enthusiasm for making payments.
Meanwhile, Chairman of GIPI Bali Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana appreciated the consistent attitude shown by The Acting. Governor of Bali Mahendra Jaya in involving the tourism component in The Foreign Tourist Levy
program. “Today we gather here to attend a very important moment. "This is a new chapter in the development of a sustainable tourism sector," he said. Apart from running smoothly and successfully, he also hopes that the funds collected from The Foreign Tourist Levy
program will be managed transparently and accountably. In this way, foreign tourists visiting Bali can benefit from the funds they donate. (Rls/Btnc)
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