DENPASAR, INDONESIA – Bali considered new rules that would tie tourist entry to proof of savings as part of a wider shift toward so‑called quality tourism.
Paradise under pressure from mass tourism
Bali was widely seen as an island paradise of beaches, temples, rice fields and sunsets, but the tourism boom had brought visible strain. Around seven million tourists visited in the previous year, and local authorities expected as many as 14 million this year, leading to piles of rubbish, congested roads and reports of disrespectful visitor behavior.
From cheap boom to “quality tourism”
The provincial administration aimed to move from low-cost mass tourism to what it called “quality tourism.” An official code of conduct for visitors and a tourist tax were already in place, but the government signaled these steps were no longer sufficient.
Under a planned “Regional Regulation for the Implementation of Quality Tourism,” a new criterion would be introduced: the size of visitors’ bank balances, making money a factor in entry decisions.
Governor targets purchasing power
Bali’s governor Wayan Koster stated that the purchasing power of guests should become decisive. In concrete terms, travelers would in future have to disclose the level of their savings over the past three months.
The stated goal was to ensure that international visitors had sufficient financial means, not only to support the local economy but also to curb problematic trends linked to low-budget travel.
Crackdown on “begpacking”
One particular concern for the authorities was so‑called “begpacking.” This involved tourists traveling with little money and begging on the street to finance their onward journeys, something many residents viewed as a nuisance.
With the planned financial checks, officials wanted to prevent exactly this practice. Travelers without adequate reserves could face difficulties, though the minimum required savings and possible consequences for those who failed the check had not yet been defined.
Itinerary disclosure as new condition
Financial capacity would only form one part of the proposed rules. To qualify as “quality tourists,” visitors would also need to provide detailed information about their travel routes.
They would have to specify exact lengths of stay and planned stops on the island. The message from the authorities was clear: Bali wanted to know who was coming, how long they would remain and with what budget.
Draft regulation eyed for 2026
Officially, the regulation remained in draft form. However, Governor Koster pushed for swift adoption and said the proposal was “almost finished” and could enter into force during 2026.
For many prospective holidaymakers, the plans raised unresolved questions about the island’s future as a destination.
“Will Bali become a luxury destination? Will paradise be reserved only for the wealthy? Or will the island finally bring order to the tourism chaos?”
said local media, reflecting public debate based on reporting from tempo.