Five weeks ago, a mandatory fee of $15, equivalent to approximately 160 Swedish kronor, was introduced for tourists travelling to Sweden's backpacker paradise, Bali.
The fee is calculated to generate 190 million kronor this year – just from Australian tourists. Special police patrols will, from Tuesday, stop tourists to check that the fee has been paid.
The tourist paradise of Bali introduced a tourist fee on February 14th. According to the authorities, the revenue is intended to make the island's tourism sustainable and protect its unique ecology and culture.
In the future, the collection of tourist fees in Bali will protect nature and keep the island clean and sustainable. But they will also play a vital role in protecting and promoting Balinese culture, which includes customs, traditions, cultural creation, and local wisdom to maintain Bali's spiritual aura, says Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia's Minister of Tourism to news.com.au.
Before the pandemic, over 50,000 Swedes visited Indonesia.
2019, before the pandemic crippled the global tourism industry, 56,000 Swedes visited Indonesia, according to statistics from the Indonesian Embassy in Stockholm.
Ön Bali has long been known as a magnet for Swedish backpackers.
However, going forward, they will have to fork out the modest but mandatory tourist fee of $15 to enjoy the island's attractions.
Australian tourists alone are expected to contribute $18 million through the tourist fee this year.
Police patrols will check that tourists pay
Despite the juicy revenues, the island's tourism authority estimates that around 60 percent of tourists visiting the island have not paid the fee.
Special patrols from the island's tourism police will therefore carry out fee checks at the island's major attractions from March 26th. Tourists who have paid the fee will receive a special voucher emailed to them, which the police officers will ask tourists to show.
Those who have not paid will be asked to pay. There is not yet any decision on penalty fees or other repercussions for tourists who have not paid the fee.
Source: Expressen.se
