I also ask for the realization of the implementation of a tax on tourists entering Indonesia.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan is seeking to heighten control on the tourism sector on Bali Island to reorient Bali's tourism development from mass tourism to quality tourism.

During a coordination meeting on Bali tourism, he proposed enhancing control on Bali tourism through stringent enforcement against law violations, a tourism entry tax, and entry selection of tourists from countries whose nationals are perceived to disrupt public order in Bali.

"In the meantime, we will focus on taking action against public order violations (in Bali). Moreover, I also ask for the realization of the implementation of a tax on tourists entering Indonesia," Pandjaitan said in a post on his official Instagram account on Monday.

The incentives would be useful to fund tourism promotion and destinations in Indonesia and would be in line with policies in some other countries with a strong tourism industry, he added.

"I also ask you to promptly study the proposed disincentive policy for foreign tourists from countries whose nationals are problematic here. It is important that arriving foreign tourists be (those) selected properly," the coordinating minister said at the meeting.

He also expressed concern over reports of foreign tourists disrespecting local laws and local police, as seen in a video of foreign tourists arguing with local police after being given a ticket for violating traffic laws, which recently went viral.

"After watching that video, I told officials during the coordinating meeting on Bali tourism today that we must not allow anyone to belittle our country. We must not be apathetic to law violations (committed by foreign nationals), let alone to insults against our national institution," Pandjaitan emphasized.

Bali, as one of the most affordable tourist destinations in the world, has attracted low-income tourists and some of them, in the end, have violated local laws, he noted.

He then expressed the hope that efforts taken to enhance control over Bali tourism will be successful in bolstering Indonesia's tourism image and prevent any disparagement of the nation.

"If foreign tourists want to enjoy Indonesia's natural beauty, they must first understand and uphold the culture and traditional values, as well as prevailing laws in this country," Pandjaitan said.

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Translator: Ade Irma Junida, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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