If you’re planning a budget-friendly trip to Asia, you might want to rethink your travel plans.
Recently, both Japan and Thailand announced new tourism taxes—Japan is considering increasing its departure tax, while Thailand is set to charge RM39 per tourist by the end of 2025.
Now, Bali is reportedly considering a tourism tax of up to USD 100 (approximately RM444) per day for foreign visitors, including Malaysians.
According to CNN Indonesia, authorities in Bali are looking at Bhutan’s tourism model, where visitors pay USD100 (RM450) per day to maintain the country’s exclusivity.
The goal? To attract “quality tourists”—aka those who spend more—and discourage budget travelers.
Puspa Negara, head of the Bali Marginal Tourism Alliance, supports this idea, saying it’s time for Bali to focus on premium tourism and improve its services.
How does this affect Malaysians?
Currently, foreign tourists only pay a one-time tourism tax of IDR150,000 (RM40) upon arrival in Bali.
If the proposed daily tax is implemented, a 5-day trip could cost RM2,250 just for tax, and that’s before you even consider flights, hotels, and meals.
While some high-end businesses welcome the move, hoping to attract wealthier tourists, many small business owners worry it could drive visitors away and hurt their livelihoods.
There have already been efforts to control tourism in Bali—Governor Wayan Koster previously suggested a tourism quota, while former Indonesian Minister of Tourism Sandiaga Uno has backed the Bhutan-style tax model.
For now, there’s no official start date, and the tax is still under discussion.
