Bali, Indonesia, a popular tourist destination in the world, is reportedly considering a regulation requiring foreign tourists to disclose their bank account balance for the past three months. The move is aimed at reducing the number of tourists who spend less.
Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that Bali, Indonesia, is considering regulations requiring foreign tourists to disclose their bank balances in the last three months.
According to reports, Bali Governor Wayan Coaster said he plans to include the measure in the “draft of local regulations on high-quality tourism management” and that the legislative process is currently in the final stages of the local council. Governor Coaster said in an interview with Indonesia’s state-run news agency Antara on the 2nd, “One of the factors in judging high-quality tourism is how much savings tourists have in the last three months.”
If the bill is passed, foreign tourists must also submit a itinerary, including bank balance details, length and schedule of stay, and planned activities in Bali. Indonesia has required some visa applicants to submit bank transaction details with at least $2,000 in balance, but has not required such financial evidence from ordinary tourists entering the country.
There are ongoing debates over the plan. “It is the same conditions that Koreans are required to apply for overseas visas,” said Rep. Chusunia Chalim of the ruling party. “It is a policy for sustainable tourism and high quality tourism.”
On the other hand, some point out that it could lead to a decrease in the influx of tourists. “Inadequate and hasty policies can only cause inconvenience to tourists,” said Professor Iwayan Suyadnya of the Department of Sociology at Brawijaya University. “Currently, the Bali government’s policy does not solve the essential problem of tourism development.”
Meanwhile, Bali attracted 7.05 million foreign tourists in 2025. This is an increase of 11.3% from the previous year and the highest level in the last decade.
JENNIFER KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
