BNEWSID – The Bali Provincial Government is preparing a new policy that will require foreign tourists to undergo financial and behavioral screening starting in 2026, as part of a broader push to shift the island’s tourism model toward “quality over quantity.”

Under the planned regulation, international visitors traveling to Bali will be asked to show proof of financial capability, including bank statements or savings records from the past three months. Bali Governor Wayan Koster said the policy is aimed at ensuring more responsible and higher-quality tourism while addressing the growing challenges caused by mass arrivals.

“The goal is to ensure all visits are properly controlled, similar to what many countries already require from foreign tourists,” Koster said during a visit by Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism in Gianyar on Friday (January 2, 2026), as quoted by Antara.

In addition to financial checks, the Bali Provincial Government will also screen tourists’ intended length of stay and planned activities while on the island. Authorities believe this measure will help ensure that tourist movements and purposes of visit are well-documented and aligned with local regulations.

Koster emphasized that the policy is not discriminatory, noting that similar entry requirements are commonly enforced by other countries. “When we travel abroad, we comply with their rules. Now Bali will apply comparable standards,” he said.

During the same occasion, Koster presented tourism data for 2025, revealing that Bali recorded 7.05 million foreign arrivals via air and around 71,000 arrivals by sea. The figures mark the highest tourist arrivals in the island’s history and signal a strong recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the surge in visitor numbers has also brought significant challenges. Koster acknowledged that efforts to attract tourists over the years have resulted in negative impacts, including waste management issues, traffic congestion, and cultural concerns. He stressed that resolving these problems will require time, patience, and consistent policy enforcement.

As part of the 2026 “Quality Tourism” framework, Bali will also introduce several new arrival and conduct requirements. All foreign travelers will be required to complete a unified arrival declaration through the All Indonesia portal, covering immigration, health, and customs, no later than three days before arrival.

Tourists must also pay a mandatory one-time Bali Tourism Levy of IDR 150,000 (approximately USD 10) via the Love Bali website or application. Additionally, stricter cultural conduct rules will be enforced, particularly at sacred sites, with visitors required to follow an official “Do’s and Don’ts” guideline.

The Bali Provincial Government hopes the new measures will help ease pressure on infrastructure, protect local culture, and ensure that tourism development moves toward a more sustainable and responsible direction in the years ahead.