Tourists visiting Bali have plenty to consider before touching down on the Island of the Gods.
There are flights, visas, transfers, hotels, and activities all to arrange, and now, with the tourism tax in the mix, there’s even more to keep track of.
Those visiting the Nusa Islands must also pay extra fees.
It has long been the case that tourists wishing to visit Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan had to pay an additional localized tourism conservation fee.
The regency government uses this fee of IDR 25,000 per adult and IDR 15,000 per child to maintain tourist facilities.
This ‘Nusa Penida Tourist Destination Entrance Fee’ is different from and in addition to the Bali Province Tourism Tax, which is set at IDR 150,000 per person per visit to the province.
It is also different from the Nusa Penida Retribution Tax, which is applicable to tourists who dive, snorkel, or swim in the Nusa Penida Marine Protection Area, which surrounds the three islands.
Local leaders in Nusa Penida are trying to find ways to reduce queues and streamline the payment system for the Nusa Penida Tourist Destination Entrance Fee.
On particularly busy days, it is not uncommon for queues to form at harbors actors Nusa Penida when tourists arrive on the island.
Speaking to reporters the Head of the Klungkung Tourism Office, Ni Made Sulistiawati, revealed that the Klungkung Regency Government, has committed improving the system for collecting fees for entering the Nusa Penida tourism area.
The authorities are looking into creating a system that is able to collect payments online and directly at the place where boat tickets are purchased.
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Sulistiawati said that the new payment system would be in place “so tourists no longer queue at the entrance to Nusa Penida to pay fees. To anticipate tourists who miss paying fees, our officers will [also] carry out checks at every tourist attraction.”
Sulistiawati confirmed that she is working with boat operators to integrate the Nusa Penida Tourist Destination Entrance Fee into the boat transfer booking system.
This would streamline the process for tourists who are already having to go to several different websites to pay visa fees, tourism tax fees, and marine conservation fees if they are not paying in person.
She added, “We’ve had discussions with several fast boat association administrators in Sanur, and they responded very well. We both support the progress and sustainability of Nusa Penida tourism.”
However, she noted that the system is not in effective yet but that it will be launched in ‘the near future’. She explained “We, the regional government, can provide levy collection services to other parties. In the collaboration we offer to provide levy services to the boat operators.”
Speaking separately, the Acting Regent of Klungkung I Nyoman Jendrika told reporters that he can appreciate the need for a better system.
Having seen the queue at the harbor for himself, he noted that he does not want this to be the lasting impression of Nusa Penida for tourists.
Jendrika said, “I saw that the levy collection point that I arrived at, Nusa Penida was a dirty place and the tourists who were there felt like they were queuing in the heat.”
Jendrika noted that the new system will also help guarantee that all tourists are paying their Nusa Penida Tourism Entrance Ticket fees.
He explained “This is also our effort to anticipate tourists who escape from paying fees. Considering that there are quite a lot of entrances or piers in Nusa Penida.”
Nusa Penida is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bali Province right now. The outlying island is home to iconic landmarks like Kelingking Beach, Diamond Beach, and Angel’s Billabong.