DENPASAR, BALI — Bali is making further progress in strengthening tourism governance, with compliance among international visitors paying the Foreign Tourist Levy (Pungutan Wisatawan Asing/PWA) rising to approximately 43 per cent as of 20 September 2026, compared with around 35 per cent in 2025.
The latest development was outlined by Bali Governor Wayan Koster during the 51st Plenary Session of the Bali Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) on 21 September 2026, as part of the provincial government’s response to discussions on the proposed amendment to Bali’s 2026 Regional Budget.
“The optimisation of the Foreign Tourist Levy forms part of Bali’s broader efforts to strengthen destination governance, ensuring tourism growth directly supports cultural heritage and environmental preservation.”
Foreign Tourist Levy Revenue Reaches IDR 289 Billion
Alongside the improvement in compliance, revenue collected through the Foreign Tourist Levy had reached approximately IDR 289 billion by 20 September 2026.
The levy, set at IDR 150,000 per foreign visitor, was introduced in Bali on 14 February 2024. During 2024, approximately 2.1 million international visitors paid the levy from around 6.3 million foreign tourist arrivals, generating approximately IDR 318 billion in revenue.
In 2025, the payment rate increased to approximately 34–35 per cent, with around 2.4 million visitors making the payment and total revenue reaching approximately IDR 369 billion.
For 2026, daily collections have averaged approximately IDR 1.3–1.4 billion. Based on the current trend, the provincial government expects revenue to continue increasing towards the end of the year, with the Governor estimating that annual collections could reach approximately IDR 429 billion.
Closer Collaboration with Airlines and Online Travel Platforms
The increase in compliance reflects the Bali Provincial Government’s continuing efforts to work more closely with tourism industry stakeholders.
Co-operation with international airlines is being strengthened to ensure that visitors receive information about the levy before travelling to Bali. Information is also being communicated through selected airline digital channels.
The provincial government is likewise working with online travel agents (OTAs) and digital tourism platforms, which play an increasingly important role in the way international visitors research and book accommodation, tours and other travel services.
Governor Koster noted that integrating the levy into the systems of international airlines requires time, as individual carriers operate according to their own procedures and operational standards.
Supporting a More Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Ecosystem
The optimisation of the Foreign Tourist Levy forms part of Bali’s broader efforts to strengthen destination governance, rather than simply increase regional revenue.
The provincial government is also encouraging digital platforms to promote accommodation and tourism businesses that have the appropriate licences. The objective is to create a more orderly tourism ecosystem while providing greater certainty for both international visitors and tourism businesses.
Under the applicable regulations, revenue from the levy is allocated through the provincial budget to support the preservation of Bali’s cultural heritage and natural environment.
This links the levy directly with Bali’s wider commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism, ensuring that tourism growth is accompanied by investment in the destination’s cultural and environmental assets.
What This Means for International Event Planners
For international organisers of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), developments in destination governance are an important consideration when planning programmes in Bali.
A more integrated system involving the government, airlines, OTAs, hotels, DMCs, tourism operators and other stakeholders can contribute to a more seamless visitor experience and stronger destination management.
Event organisers planning international conferences, incentive programmes and corporate events in Bali should therefore consider including information about the Foreign Tourist Levy within their pre-arrival communications and delegate information, particularly for overseas participants.
Professional local partners can also assist organisers in ensuring that accommodation, transportation, venues, activities and other tourism services are sourced from appropriate and properly licensed operators.
Bali Strengthens Its Position as a Business Events Destination
For Bali’s Business Events industry, the continuing development of destination governance supports the island’s ambition to remain a competitive international meetings and events destination.
Beyond attracting visitor numbers, Bali is increasingly focusing on quality, responsible tourism, cultural preservation, environmental protection and long-term destination sustainability.
For international event planners, this creates opportunities to design programmes that combine professional business objectives with meaningful experiences centred on Bali’s culture, heritage, nature and local communities.
Bali Convention & Exhibition Bureau (BaliCEB) supports continued collaboration among government, industry and international event stakeholders to strengthen Bali’s position as a leading destination for Business Events—Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions.
Bali’s ambition is increasingly about more than attracting visitors. It is about building a well-managed, culturally respectful and environmentally responsible destination that can deliver sustainable value for visitors, communities and the wider tourism industry.
((BaliCEB Media Team))