Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) - The Bali Tourism Office stated that the main delegates or VVIP delegates of the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) will be exempted from Bali's foreign tourist levy.

"There are several delegates who are exempted. Even if they submit several names, we will verify them first," Head of the Bali Tourism Office Tjok Bagus Pemayun remarked here on Friday.

Since February 14, 2024, the Bali government has implemented Bali Regional Regulation Number 6 of 2023 on Foreign Tourist Levy for the Conservation of Bali's Culture and Nature.

Under the regulation, foreign tourists are subject to Rp150 thousand (around US$9.25) for every visit to Bali. The policy also applies to delegates of the 10th WWF, scheduled to be held in Bali on May 18-25, 2024.

Pemayun stated that the Bali government had yet to reach the process of selecting delegates to be exempted from the levy, as it was still preparing facilities for tours and meeting points of the delegates.

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As for the foreign tourist levy, so far, the Bali government has collected Rp67 billion (around US$4.13 million) from more than 400 thousand tourists.

The Bali tourism office head noted that only 40 percent of foreign tourists who entered Bali have made payments.

He expressed hope that with more large-scale events, such as the WWF, taking place, the number of visitors to Bali would increase.

The 10th WWF, which raises the theme of “Water for Shared Prosperity,” is expected to be attended by delegates from 193 countries.

The upcoming forum will cover six sub-themes: water security and prosperity; water for humans and nature; disaster risk reduction and management; governance, cooperation, and hydro diplomacy; sustainable water finance; and knowledge and innovation.

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Translator: Ni Putu Putri, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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