Denpasar (ANTARA) - The Bali provincial government has ensured that security of the application for foreign tourists is maintained, as it has undergone testing before being used during the trial period until implementation from February 14, 2024.

"Application security has gone through a long process, including from the Cyber Agency," Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office Cokorda Bagus Pemayun stated in Denpasar, Tuesday.

In fact, Pemayun said his side had invited hackers during security testing.

"We tested it, invited hackers, could this application be hacked? Until now, it has not (been hacked)," he affirmed.

He explained that the application uses computing services from the United States, that is Amazon Web Service (AWS).

Meanwhile, during the operational trial period on Wednesday (Feb 7), payment worth Rp1.4 billion (US$89,600) had been successfully collected from 9,220 foreign nationals until the launch period on Monday (Feb 12).

On the other hand, his side also promises transparency in foreign tourist levies, including their utilization that is announced through the Love Bali application.

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“As part of transparency, we do not want any cash, and it goes directly to the regional treasury through the application. Hence, it is transparent and measurable,” he explained.

"The public can monitor it via the application. We will convey it in full on the Love Bali (application),” he added.

The legal basis for levies on foreign tourists in Bali is in accordance with Law Number 15 of 2023 concerning the Province of Bali and the derivative regulation, namely Regional Regulation Number 6 of 2023 concerning levies for foreign tourists for the protection of Bali’s culture and natural environment.

The regional regulation stipulates that the levy on foreign tourists aims to protect the customs, traditions, arts and culture, as well as local wisdom of the Balinese people.

The regulation also focuses on the glorification and maintenance of culture and the natural environment that is a tourist attraction in Bali, improving the quality of services and implementation of Balinese cultural tourism, and becoming a guideline in the implementation and management of levies for foreign tourists.

Related news: Bali exempts seven visa types from new tourist levy

Translator: Dewa Ketut Sudiarta Wiguna, Cindy Frishanti Octavi
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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