Bali implements a $10 tourism e-tax

In an effort to protect the traditions of the "Island of Gods," the Indonesian vacation paradise of Bali started charging new visitors a 150,000 rupiah ($10) tax on Wednesday.

Dependent on tourists Bali is a beach-dotted island that welcomes millions of foreign tourists each year. In an effort to preserve its tropical charm and increase revenue, the island is attempting to capitalize on its popularity.

"The purpose of this tax is to safeguard Bali's environment and cultural heritage," stated acting governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya during a press conference on Monday.

Foreign visitors arriving in Bali from overseas or from other regions of Indonesia will be required to pay the fee electronically through the "Love Bali" online portal, according to a press release.

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The levy will not apply to domestic Indonesian tourists.

Nearly 4.8 million tourists visited Bali between January and November last year, according to official figures, as the island continued to rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic after imposing a zero-tolerance policy on rule-breakers.

The palm-fringed hotspot has vowed a crackdown on misbehaving tourists after a spate of incidents that have included acts of disrespect to the predominantly Hindu island's culture.

Incidents in recent years have included foreign tourists posing for naked photographs at sacred sites and flashing in the street.

Last year, the local government published an etiquette guide for tourists who wish to visit Bali after being pressed to do so by the island's immigration office.

with inputs from AFP