Authorities in Bali have unfolded plans to abolish visa-on-arrival fees for Australian travellers as part of efforts to attract a larger number of visitors from other countries and help further economic growth.
The recent decision helps Australians save some money following the abolishment of the $50 tourist charge, VisaGuide.World reports.
Authorities in Bali have considered that removing the visa-on-arrival fee will help families save hundreds of dollars on their trip and is also expected to attract a larger number of international visitors.
The new changes have been recently confirmed by Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economies Minister Sandiaga Uno, who stressed that officials were proposing to abolish Indonesia visa requirements for arrivals from a total of 20 countries, also taking into account Australia.
Back in 2016, when was the last time the tax was abolished, Bali saw a notable increase in the number of Australian visitors, or more than 16 per cent, who contributed $145 million to the local economy.
According to a report from 7 News, Uno said that the selected countries had the greatest increase in the number of international tourists, excluding those states already eligible for visa-free visits.
At the top are Australia, China, India, South Korea, the United States, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, Russia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Italy, and Spain; and five other additional countries are countries related to investment contributions and the economic impact on Indonesia; Middle Eastern countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and several other countries.
He confirmed that the conversation was ongoing, but the tourism ministry was working together with the Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, as well as Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly, in order for the proposal to be finished.
In the next month, it will be finalised, and after that, we will receive direction from the president, and the policy will be followed up with immigration,”
Based on the latest figures from Bali Central Bureau of Statistics, a total of 1,093,234 citizens from Australia visited Bali for a period between January and October this year. These figures revealed that a total of 25 per cent increase was registered in the number of visitors, compared to the figures for the same period last year.
According to Uno, the new changes will be finalised in January 2024. Earlier this year, authorities revealed that all tourists would be charged a new Bali tourism tax starting from February 14, 2024.