Australians heading to Bali in the new year are in for some extra cash in their pockets, as Indonesian officials look to scrap a $50 tourist charge.
Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economies Minister Sandiaga Uno last week confirmed officials were proposing travellers from 20 countries, including Australia, should be granted visa-free travel.
Removing the visa on arrival fee will save families hundreds of dollars on their trip and is expected to boost tourism to the popular holiday destination.
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In 2016, the last time the tax was scrapped, Australian visitors increased by more than 16 per cent and contributed $145 million to the local economy, according to Bali officials.
Uno said the nominated countries had the highest number of foreign tourists outside of countries that already had 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, 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 said, via The Bali Sun.
Uno said the conversation was ongoing but the tourism ministry was working with the Director General of Immigration Silmy Karim and Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly to finalise the proposal.
“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,” he said.
The end of the policy will see a family of four save $200, which Indonesian officials hope will be spent locally.
Officials are understood to be days away from announcing the cancellation of the fee, according to The West Australian.
Visa-free travel between Indonesia and Australia was scrapped in June when Indonesia introduced a post-pandemic policy.
The holiday destination is also set to introduce a tourist tax of about IDR 150,000 ($A15) come February to preserve the island’s sustainability and culture.
