Monitoring and Levy Collection on Foreign Tourists at Goa Gajah, Gianyar: Efforts in Preserving Bali's Culture and Nature

The Bali Provincial Government, through the Department of Tourism, once again conducted monitoring and checks on the collection of fees from foreign tourists at one of Bali's tourism icons, Goa Gajah, Gianyar. The levy of Rp150,000 per person not only aims to optimize revenue but also to support the preservation of Bali's culture and nature.

In the latest monitoring conducted at Goa Gajah, most foreign tourists have paid the Foreign Tourist Levy. However, some cases were found where some tourists have not complied with this obligation.

According to the Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Department, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, since its implementation, the number of foreign tourists who have paid the Foreign Tourist Levy has reached 425,011 people, with a total revenue of over Rp67 billion. Goa Gajah was chosen as one of the monitoring points due to its high popularity among foreign tourists.

This levy not only provides financial benefits but also directly contributes to regional income. On average, 5-6 thousand foreign tourists pay the Foreign Tourist Levy daily, which then becomes an important contribution to the regional treasury.

Furthermore, the Bali Provincial Government expects an increase in Foreign Tourist Levy in line with various international tourism agendas held in Bali, such as the World Water Forum (WWF) and Women Tourism Asia Pacific.

In this regard, coordination with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Indonesian Embassy, is crucial in socializing this obligation to foreign tourists. Even during the visa application process, tourists are reminded of the importance of paying the Foreign Tourist Levy before visiting Bali.

All tourism stakeholders, including travel agencies, hotels, and tour guides, are asked to support this program by reminding tourists before they arrive in Bali. Checks will also continue to be carried out at various points, including airports and tourist attractions, to ensure tourist compliance.

The Head of the Destination Department of the Gianyar Tourism Office, I Gusti Ngurah Susatia Putera, stated that tourist visits to Goa Gajah reach 1000 people per day, with the majority coming from Europe. Although experiencing a decline during the low season, tourist visits have begun to return to normal, especially due to European tourists' interest in enjoying Bali's cultural richness.

With regular monitoring and levy collection, it is hoped that Bali's tourism will continue to be a source of pride and provide sustainable benefits to the local community and the environment.