‘We expect respect’: Bali cracks down on ‘naughty’ tourists with strict new rules
Bali’s mayor has warned that some transgressions might be met with authorized penalties.
Bali has launched a collection of recent tips for vacationers in a bid to clamp down on inappropriate behaviour.
Authorities say the strict measures goal to safeguard the Indonesian island’s cultural integrity and sacred websites.
The principles cowl clothes and behavior when visiting temples and non secular complexes, together with prohibiting menstruating girls from getting into.
The mayor has warned that some transgressions might be met with authorized penalties underneath Indonesian legislation.
New tips to control international vacationers whereas in Bali
The brand new rules had been issued by Bali governor I Wayan Koster on 24 March.
“We issued an identical regulation earlier than, however as issues change, we have to adapt. This ensures that Bali’s tourism stays respectful, sustainable, and in concord with our native values,” Koster stated.
The rules deal with making certain respectful behaviour when visiting sacred websites and imposing the cost of Bali’s vacationer levy.
In addition they oblige vacationers to make use of licensed guides and lodging, comply with site visitors legal guidelines and trade forex at authorised shops.
“I’m implementing this round as a right away measure to control international vacationers whereas they’re in Bali,” Koster added.
New guidelines ban inappropriate images and single-use plastics
The brand new guidelines require vacationers to put on modest and respectful clothes and to “behave respectfully whether or not at spiritual websites, eating places, buying areas, or public roads”.
Guests are banned from swearing, inflicting disturbances, or being impolite to locals, officers, or fellow vacationers. The mayor additionally stated that “sharing hate speech or misinformation on social media can be prohibited”.
Different outlawed actions embrace getting into sacred temple areas with out permission, littering, and dealing with out permits.
Single-use plastics, together with plastic luggage, styrofoam, plastic straws, and plastic-packaged drinks, are additionally banned.
Below the brand new tips, international vacationers “ought to observe and honour Balinese customs, traditions, and cultural practices, particularly throughout ceremonies” and “costume appropriately when visiting temples, vacationer sights, or public areas”.
As well as, international guests usually are not permitted to “enter sacred temple areas until they’re worshippers carrying conventional Balinese apparel”. The directive provides that “menstruating girls are additionally prohibited from getting into these areas”.
Vacationers are additionally not allowed to climb sacred timber or monuments or take inappropriate or nude images at spiritual websites.
Vacationers who fail to pay customer levy face authorized penalties
Final February, Bali launched a one-time entry price of 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (€9) for worldwide guests to fund conservation efforts.
As a part of the brand new tips, “vacationers who fail to pay the vacationer levy shall be denied entry to sights, and people caught violating the rules will face authorized penalties in accordance with Indonesian legislation”.
Just lately, Balinese officers floated a day by day vacationer tax much like the $100 (€95) Sustainable Growth Payment that Bhutan fees most worldwide guests.
‘We count on our visitors to indicate the identical respect that we prolong to them’
The directive comes only a few days earlier than Nyepi – a sacred vacation often known as the day of silence – on 29 March. The competition sees the island come to a standstill for twenty-four hours, requiring everybody, together with vacationers, to remain indoors.
“We’ve got ready a particular group to conduct an operation. Overseas vacationers who’re naughty shall be instantly handled firmly,” Koster was quoted as saying by native newspaper The Bali Solar.
He added that the island’s civil service police unit shall be monitoring vacationer behaviour and making certain compliance with the brand new rules.
“Bali is a lovely, sacred island, and we count on our visitors to indicate the identical respect that we prolong to them,” Koster stated.
