The Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, has urged local residents to promptly report any instances of misbehavior by foreigners on the island. This call to action is part of a broader initiative to crack down on unruly behavior by foreigners and promote high-quality tourism in Bali.
During a press conference on May 28th, Governor Koster emphasized the importance of locals formally reporting any violations or disrespectful actions by foreigners towards Balinese culture or the law. He stated that Bali residents are prohibited from facilitating foreign tourists who engage in activities inconsistent with their visa permits or legal provisions. He further suggested that not reporting such violations is a form of complicity and facilitation on the part of the locals.
The Governor went on to request that Bali residents report any inappropriate activities, whether legally or culturally, by foreign tourists to the local police, immigration office, Public Order Security Agency (Satpol PP), pecalang (Balinese traditional village security), and the tourism office.
Governor Koster’s push for action follows an incident in Ubud where a foreigner experienced a mental health crisis and disrupted a cultural performance. While there was online outrage and disbelief surrounding the incident, local tourism stakeholders emphasized the need to view it as an opportunity for progress.
Governor Koster acknowledged that his efforts to address tourist behavior and propose policy changes present a “double-edged sword.” He attributed the need for these measures partly to the expansion of the post-Covid visa on arrival program. On one hand, the visa on arrival has facilitated Bali’s economic recovery and made it easier for foreigners to visit. On the other hand, the visa, available to citizens from 92 countries, is seen by some as an open-door policy, potentially attracting individuals engaging in undesirable behavior.
The Governor highlighted that the provincial government’s actions are a response to the conduct of international tourists. While he recognized the risk of counterproductivity and the ongoing recovery of tourism businesses from the pandemic, Governor Koster emphasized the need for policy changes and stricter enforcement of existing laws to uphold high-quality tourism and preserve local customs.
He expressed the intention to implement a comprehensive policy on tourism governance in Bali, which would address issues on a case-by-case basis. The Governor stated that this policy would be enacted in the coming weeks, and its content has already been hinted at in previous announcements.
The Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies of Indonesia assured tourists that Bali still welcomes them, despite the recent policy developments. Governor Koster concluded by mentioning plans for a meeting with the central government to evaluate the implementation of the Visa on Arrival policy and ensure that it does not undermine Bali’s tourism reputation.
