Asia's most beautiful island considers Bhutan-style daily tax on foreign tourists

Puspa Negara, head of the Bali Marginal Tourism Actors Alliance, emphasized that foreign tourists should be selected in a manner similar to Bhutan's system, according to the South China Morning Post.

He said it's time for Bali to shift toward quality tourism by enhancing both the destination's offerings and its human resources, an initiative that can be supported by local government policy, Bali Sun reported.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster endorsed this Bhutan-style approach in 2023 as a means to regulate the annual influx of visitors.

Former Indonesian Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sanidaga Uno, has similarly discussed introducing such a model in Bali.

In recent weeks, Bali Senator Ni Luh Djelantik has shared online content urging leaders to adopt Bhutan's highly controlled and sustainable tourism model.

Since September 2022, visitors to Bhutan have been required to pay a daily fee of $100 per person, known as the Sustainable Development Fee.

Bali, renowned for its stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, and ancient temples, welcomed 6.3 million foreign visitors last year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

This year, the island aims to attract 6.5 million foreign arrivals.

In October, Bali was voted Asia's most beautiful island by readers of Condé Nast Traveler in its Readers' Choice Awards.