Bali Introduces New Rules to Combat Misbehaving Tourists

Some 136 foreign visitors have been deported from Bali since January for misbehaving

A Balinese man stands at the gate of Lempuyang temple looking toward Mount Agung volcano, in Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia, on Dec. 2, 2017. (Reuters/Darren Whiteside)

Bali’s governor has recently issued a new set of guidelines for travelers to follow after instances of unruly behavior displayed by foreign visitors on the Indonesian island.

The circular, introduced by Bali Governor Wayan Koster on May 31, outlines 12 obligations and eight prohibited actions for tourists to follow while staying on the resort island, according to local media.

“All parties should understand, implement, and disseminate this circular to all staff and foreign tourists who are visiting Bali,” Koster told reporters.

In the circular, tourists are urged to respect religious places, customs, and traditions, dress modestly in sacred and public places, comply with all local rules, and use Indonesian currency when making transactions.

Foreign visitors are required to stay in accommodations that have a permit, drive in compliance with domestic laws, and be accompanied by licensed tour guides.

It prohibits tourists from climbing sacred trees, acting aggressively or speaking harshly toward state officials and locals, engaging in illegal activities, and acting in ways that desecrate sacred places, among other things.

Tourists are also prohibited from spreading hate speech and polluting lakes, seas, or public places, according to the circular.

In order to enforce the rules effectively, the provincial government has deployed tourism task forces at key attractions and sacred places to monitor the behavior of foreign tourists.

Residents in Bali who wish to report any incidents of misconduct by foreigners would also be able to contact these task forces.

“The point is that there are no foreign nationals doing anything out of the ordinary in Tabanan,” Tabanan’s government secretary Gede Susila was quoted as saying by The Bali Sun.

Some 136 foreigners have been deported from Bali since January for violating norms on the island and displaying unruly behavior, including indecent exposure, according to the Bali Immigration Office.

In April, a Russian national was deported from Bali for taking nude photos under the sacred Kayu Putih Banyan Tree in the Tabanan district. Last month, a British national was arrested for assaulting a police officer at a bar after he refused to pay for his meal.

Indonesian Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno said last year the government was planning to introduce a digital nomad visa that would allow travelers to live in Bali without paying taxes for five years.

Sandiaga said the government aims to boost the local economy and create 1 million jobs for Indonesians by bringing in more foreign travelers to Bali, citing a survey that revealed Bali was on “top of mind” of 95 percent of “digital nomads” who took part in the survey.

“In the past, the three S was: sun, sea, and sand. We’re moving it to serenity, spirituality, and sustainability. This way, we’re getting better quality and better impact to the local economy,” he remarked.

There are currently about 24 countries that offer digital nomad visas for remote workers, including Germany, Taiwan, Mexico, Iceland, Portugal, and Norway, according to Relocate website.