Bali Strengthens Enforcement of Foreign Tourist Levy as Compliance Rate Rises to 43%

Bali Governor Wayan Koster announced continued efforts to strengthen enforcement of payment for the Foreign Tourist Levy (Pungutan Wisatawan Asing, or PWA), a fee charged to foreign visitors under Bali Provincial Regulation No. 6 of 2023, in effect since 2024. The levy, set at IDR 150,000 (roughly USD 10) per visitor, is intended to fund the protection of Bali's culture and natural environment.

Speaking at a provincial parliament session on August 14, 2026, Koster reported that compliance rose from 35.4% in 2025 to approximately 43% as of August 2026. Total PWA revenue in 2025 reached around IDR 369 billion, though a significant share of tourists still had not paid the fee.

The governor noted that because PWA is a local regulation rather than a national policy, enforcement carries less legal force than nationwide rules, requiring a cautious, phased approach. "Slowly. We must ensure the steps we take don't become counterproductive," Koster said.

To boost compliance, the Bali provincial government is coordinating more closely with the Directorate General of Immigration, international airlines, and overseas travel agencies. A new measure being prepared would inform tourists about the PWA payment obligation before they arrive in Bali, including announcements on international flights, expected to begin by the end of August 2026.

The provincial government frames PWA not merely as a revenue source but as a mechanism to safeguard Bali's culture and environment as the foundation for sustainable tourism.