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TOURISM actors who are members of the Bali Provincial Association of Indonesian Tour Guides (HPI) support the application of a levy of IDR150,000 or US$10 which is intended for foreign tourists visiting Bali.
It is planned that this policy will be implemented starting in 2024, currently the Bali Provincial Government is still finalizing the legal umbrella for withdrawing the levy with the Bali DPRD (Regional People’s Representative Assembly).
According to the Chairperson of HPI Bali, Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, explaining that in principle HPI supports the program, but notes to the Bali Provincial Government as the initiator of the policy, so that the funds collected are returned for the development of Bali tourism, especially for improving tourism infrastructure and secondly for tourism promotion.
“Bali’s tourism infrastructure still requires large financial support, especially if Bali wants to create quality tourism, the quality of facilities and infrastructure must be maintained so that tourists are more comfortable on the island of the Gods,” he said.
Agung Adnyana explained, we asked that 80% of the funds be used for these two things, infrastructure and promotion, because both are important. Why should there be an allocation for promotions? We want to package sustainable promotions, especially for the promotion of authentic Balinese culture, so that many quality tourists come to Bali.
“I also emphasize that the withdrawal and management of levy funds is carried out transparently and digitally so that all people can monitor the use of funds and their use can be optimal,” he remarked.
HPI is not worried that the implementation of the levy will affect visits, according to him it will not happen because fees for foreign tourists are commonplace and have been implemented in a number of countries such as Japan and the European region.
“The most important thing is to do it transparently, this (retribution) is common and has been implemented in other countries,” he concluded. [bisnis.com/photo special]
