Key WWF delegates to be exempt from Bali tourist tax: Gov

Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) – The Bali Tourism Board has declared that the key delegates or VVIP delegates of the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) will be exempted from Bali’s foreign tourism levy.

“There are several deputies who are exempt. Even if they provide multiple names, we will verify them first,” Balinese tourism agency head Tjok Bagus Pemayun noted here on Friday.

Since February 14, 2024, the Government of Bali has implemented Regional Regulation No. 6 of 2023 on Foreign Tourist Fee for the Preservation of Bali’s Culture and Nature.

According to the regulation, foreign tourists must pay Rp 150,000 (approximately $9.25) for each visit to Bali. The policy also applies to delegates of the 10th WWF, which will take place in Bali from May 18 to 25, 2024.

Pemayun stated that the Bali government had not yet completed the process of selecting delegates to be exempted from the levy as it was still preparing facilities for tours and meeting places of the delegates.

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As for the foreign tourist tax, the Bali government has so far collected Rp67 billion (about US$4.13 million) from over 400,000 tourists.

The head of Bali’s tourism bureau noted that only 40 percent of foreign tourists entering Bali have made payments.

He expressed hope that as more large-scale events such as the WWF take place, the number of visitors to Bali would increase.

The 10th WWF, which addresses the theme ‘Water for Shared Prosperity’, is expected to be attended by delegates from 193 countries.

The upcoming forum will address six sub-themes: water security and prosperity; water for people and nature; disaster risk reduction and management; governance, cooperation and hydrodiplomacy; sustainable water financing; and knowledge and innovation.

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