Indonesia cracks down on unruly tourists to preserve Bali’s culture and charm

The island is prioritising quality tourism, welcoming visitors who respect local customs and traditions, and deporting violators

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Foreign tourists relax on the Kuta Beach near Denpasar on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:46pm, 18 Sep 2024Updated: 4:52pm, 18 Sep 2024

Indonesia is taking a tough stance on unruly foreign visitors in Bali to preserve the island’s culture and promote quality tourism by cracking down on troublemakers, deporting them in large numbers and insisting illegal activities, such as drug use and nudity, will not be tolerated.

Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said efforts to rein in errant travellers showed the country’s tough stance on violators, and the campaign would not dent the economy of the tourist-dependent tropical paradise.

Luhut said the province would be better off without guests who engage in wrongful activities, behaviours that have also angered the Balinese community.

Last year, Bali officials launched a law enforcement drive following a spate of incidents including indecent exposure and disrespecting local customs.

According to the regional office of the ministry of law and human rights in Bali, 157 foreigners were ejected from the island in the first eight months of the year, while 194 people had been temporarily held at the immigration detention centre awaiting deportation.

Two Thai and two Indonesian suspects, arrested on drug charges, face the death penalty in Bali. Photo: AFP

Many were found guilty of breaching conditions of stay including from Russia, Nigeria, China and Australia.