Bali’s acting governor, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, reminded visitors that the island has a list of do’s and don’ts that must be followed by all tourists.
This statement was prompted by a worrying increase in misconduct and illegal acts by international tourists in recent weeks.
“As hosts we are open to foreigners. But we also hope that tourists who come to Bali will respect our customs and culture.” said Sang Made Monday.
On Sunday, a drunken British tourist named Damon Anthony Alexander Hills, 50, was decided to hijack a truck and break into the international terminal of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, damaging a number of facilities including the entrance portal and some barrier pillars. Hills now faces a prison sentence of up to nine years.
On June 6, a Spanish-Colombian couple was arrested for refusing to pay their bills after spending twenty days in a local hotel in the Ungasan region because they had run out of money, they said. The couple is currently being held in the Denpasar Immigration Detention Center and will be deported soon.
In 2023, 340 foreigners were deported from Bali for various crimes. So far this year, the government has had to deport 142 foreigners for the same reasons. and there are even more on the verge of deportation.
Other criminal acts reported in recent days include foreigners sitting in holy places, violations of traffic rules and people working without the required visa to carry out work or commercial activities.
The acting governor and some tourism leaders are calling on all tourists to make active efforts to respect Balinese culture and follow its rules.
Sang Made reminded tourists of the list of do’s and don’ts issued last year.
The list “must continue to be socialized because people forget a lot. We must continue to be reminded, through friends of the Tourist Board, Tourism Satpol PP and all parties.”
Here are some important dos and don’ts on the Island of the Gods.
Do’s – You must
- Respect sacred temples and all other religious symbols on the island.
- Respect Balinese culture, customs, traditions and art.
- Dress modestly, especially when visiting sacred or public places.
- Be in possession of a valid international driver’s license and comply with all Indonesian traffic laws, including the use of a helmet.
- Rent vehicles only from authorized companies.
- Be respectful at all times and to all people, especially to authorities.
- Exchange foreign currency only at an authorized money changer (KUPVA).
- Pay for goods, services and experiences in Indonesian Rupiah.
- Only stay in legally recognized accommodations.
Don’ts – That is not allowed
- Enter sacred spaces in holy temples for a purpose other than prayer. Traditional Balinese clothing must be worn.
- Touch or climb sacred trees.
- Use rude words, rude behavior, make noise or disrespect authorities, local people or other visitors in person or through social media platforms.
- Polluting bodies of water, including lakes, springs, rivers and the sea.
- Use single-use plastics such as plastic bags or straws.
- Engage in illegal activities such as trafficking in flora and fauna, cultural or sacred objects or illegal drugs.
- Working or conducting business activities without a legal permit.
In short, respect the authorities, local culture and laws, and use common sense.
