Authorities in Bali are preparing to introduce a tourist tax to help tackle pollution and waste management on the island, which the Bali Environment Agency says produces 3,500 tonnes of rubbish a day.
According to the Jakarta Post, a new bylaw has been drafted that includes a $10 (£7.60) fee for overseas visitors to the Indonesian island. Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, has said that revenue from the tax would go towards programmes that help to preserve the environment and Balinese culture. The new tax is being proposed in light of the island’s continuing battle against plastic waste, which pollutes beaches and surrounding waters.
The popular tourist destination, which is roughly the same size as the county of Norfolk, saw nearly 5.7 million visitors in 2017 (mainly from China and Australia), and numbers will continue to rise, according to the national tourism ministry.
Single-use plastics, including shopping bags, styrofoam and plastic straws were banned in December 2018. The ban was aimed at producers, distributors, suppliers and businesses, who have six months to replace items with alternative materials. Those that do not comply could lose their permits. Similar plans are being drafted for Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta.
Koster remains optimistic about visitor numbers, despite the tax. “Tourists will understand. They will be happy to pay it as it will be used to strengthen our environment and culture,” he said. He also stated that the tax would only apply to international tourists and not domestic visitors. How the levy will be collected is still to be confirmed; it could be added to an airline ticket price or paid on arrival at the airport.
The plans have largely received support on the island, on the condition that plans for environmental investment are carried out. “As long as the levy is used for preserving environment and culture, I think it would not cause a decline in tourist numbers,” said Ida Bagus Purwa Sidemen of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association. “However, if there is no real programme following the implementation of the bylaw, tourists may feel disappointed and it would lead to a decrease in tourist arrivals.”
It has been estimated that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2025, if more isn’t done to tackle the problem at its source. Last October, the European parliament overwhelmingly backed a ban on single-use plastics, with plastic straws, cotton swabs, disposable plastic plates and cutlery to be banned by 2021, and 90% of plastic bottles recycled by 2025.