"They must submit an application and meet the requirements in the Love Bali system," said Ida Ayu Indah Yustikarini, Head of Tourism at the Tourism Office of Bali Province, in Denpasar on Thursday.
The seven categories exempted from the obligation to pay the levy comprise foreign tourists holding diplomatic and official visas, crew members on transportation vehicles, and holders of temporary or permanent stay permit cards.
They also include holders of family unification visas, student visas, Golden Visas, and other visas, such as business visas.
Based on Bali Governor's Regulation Number 36 of 2023 on Payment Procedures for Foreign Tourist Levy, the request for levy exemption application must be submitted at least one month before entering Bali.
In addition, the regulation stipulates that the local tourism authority will verify and make a decision on the application in a maximum of five working days.
The decision on whether the application is approved or rejected will be communicated to tourists through the Love Bali system at lovebali.baliprov.go.id.
"If it is approved, the Love Bali system will give a notice and proof of exemption approval to the foreign tourists in the form of a QR code," Yustikarini stated.
For the initial stage, the levy will be applied at the international arrival terminals of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and Benoa Port, Bali.
In addition to the two locations, payment of the levy can also be carried out through travel agents, hotels, and tourist attractions.
The levy is imposed based on Law Number 15 of 2023 on Bali Province and its derivative regulation, namely Regional Regulation Number 6 of 2023 on Levy for Foreign Tourists for Bali's Cultural and Environmental Protection.
In the regulation, it is stated that the levy policy is applied to protect the customs, traditions, arts, culture, and local wisdom of the Balinese people.
Moreover, it aims to respect and preserve culture and the natural environment in the form of tourist attractions in Bali, improve the quality of services and organization of Balinese cultural tourism, and become a guideline in implementing and managing levies for foreign tourists.
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Translator: Dewa Ketut, Raka Adji
Editor: Anton Santoso
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