"I am pleased to know that the Australian Consulate General in Bali is supportive of our efforts to encourage respectful tourist behavior," head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun, said on Thursday.
Pemayun noted that Bali is one of the favorite destinations of Australian tourists. He then urged all foreign tourists to respect Bali's culture and laws as well as protect the province's natural environment.
The Bali government has issued a guidance for foreign tourists regarding prohibitions and obligations (dos and don'ts) during their stay in Bali.
Australian Consul General Jo Stevens has expressed her support for the guidance.
The senior diplomat described the guidelines as useful for foreign tourists. She then urged Australian tourists to comply with it.
"I encourage all Australians to respect Bali's unique culture and follow the dos and don'ts for a safe and enjoyable visit," she said.
According to her, as many as 1.5 million Australian tourists visited Bali in 2024. Of that number, very few required consular assistance.
"This shows that the vast majority of Australians enjoy a pleasant, safe, and trouble-free holiday in Bali, which supports the local culture and economy, a trend we want to see to continue," she said.
She added that her party is working closely with the Bali government to promote respectful tourist behavior through social media campaigns and the latest travel advice on Indonesia on Smartraveller, the Australian government's online travel service.
The Australian travel advice includes information from the Bali provincial government on dos and don'ts for foreigners, she continued.
Smartraveller also reminds Australian tourists that disrespecting local culture, laws, and regulations can result in criminal penalties and/or deportation.
Statistics Indonesia (BPS) in Bali recorded that foreign tourist visits to Bali reached 6.33 million in 2024, up 20.1 percent compared to 5.27 million in 2023.
Australia ranked first with 1.5 million of its nationals visiting Bali, followed by India (550,379) and South Korea (294,024).
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Translator: Dewa Ketut S W, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Primayanti
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