The Bali provincial government has collected 318 billion rupiah (US$19.2 million) in 2024 through the Foreign Tourism Levy (PWA), which is paid by arriving travellers via the We Love Bali app or at designated counters at the airport. The collection had surpassed the target of 250 billion rupiah.
According to Ida Ayu Indah Yustikarini, head of marketing, Bali Provincial Tourism Office, the money collected in 2024 is being used this year “on protecting the environment; improving Bali’s waste management — collecting, processing and disposal systems, such as at Suwung landfill; and preserving Balinese culture (by supporting traditional performances) such as at the annual Bali Art Festival and funding artists communities”.
Encouraged by the success of the PWA in 2024, the government now aims to collect 325 billion rupiah this year – 30 per cent more than the 2024 goal.
Bali governor Wayan Koster told the media that the 2025 PWA funds would be used to finance the development of Balinese culture and a healthy environmental ecosystem that will lead to quality tourism. He explained that money would be allocated to various programmes, including those that groom traditional villages for tourism. Each village would receive 300 million rupiah in financial support, while funding will also be provided to the Council of Traditional Villages.
To optimise PWA collection, Koster has formed the PWA Monitoring and Implementation Team, with Putu Winastra, chairman of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies Bali Chapter, standing as coordinator.
Speaking at a press conference at the recent Bali and Beyond Travel Fair 2025, Putu said his team would tackle three major issues: the lack of payment control, the lack of accurate, real-time data of tourist arrivals to Bali, and the need for transparency in the programmes funded by PWA.
He shared that the Bali government is discussing with the central government on having a third party entity to collect the tourism levy.
“We’ve recommended that the regional government form agreements with airport and immigration authorities (to facilitate) a system (to share) real-time data on arrivals to Bali, allowing us to monitor payments and apply sanctions on those who fail to pay,” he added.
He added that transparency in the use of the PWA would allow travellers to clearly see how their contributions are being utilised.
