At least five foreigners were deported from Bali last month, serving as a reminder for Australians to be mindful travellers as the crackdown on unruly tourists in the holiday hotspot continues.
Three Russians, a Ukrainian, English and Italian national were detained for various violations during July, including overstaying their visas, abuse of residence permits, and not complying with regulations, according to head of Denpasar Immigration Office Tedy Riyandi.
Five were deported and one person was placed in the Immigration Detention Centre.
Ravindra Singh Shekhawat, general manager of Indonesian operations at Melbourne-born company Intrepid Travel, told news.com.au it was extremely important for Aussie travellers to be aware of local laws.
The latest bold move from Bali officials has been establishing a hotline for anyone to dob in misbehaving tourists.
It follows the establishment of a special task force to monitor foreigners’ activities (Bali Becik), introducing a tourist tax, and releasing a tourist dos and don’ts list.
“Now that anyone can report travellers on the hotline, there are several things travellers need to be mindful of to avoid potential issues,” Mr Singh Shekhawat said.
His advice for Australians heading to Bali includes:
Compliance with regulations: Travellers must ensure they are aware of and comply with all the rules and regulations of the destination they are visiting. This includes following visa requirements, quarantine guidelines, and any other travel-related restrictions.
Documentation: Having all the necessary travel documents, such as passports, visas, and any health-related certificates, is crucial. Any discrepancies or missing paperwork might attract unwanted attention.
Public behaviour: Travellers should be mindful of their actions in public spaces. Engaging in illegal or offensive activities may lead to reports from locals or other travellers.
Respect local customs and culture: Understanding and respecting the local customs, traditions, and culture is essential. Inappropriate behaviour or disrespect towards local norms could lead to complaints.
Environmental responsibility: Travellers should be mindful of their impact on the environment and strive to be responsible tourists. Any perceived disregard for the environment may prompt reports from environmentally conscious individuals or groups.
Disputes with locals: Engaging in confrontations or disputes with locals should be avoided, as it may escalate and result in reports being filed against the traveller.
Mr Singh Shekhawat, who lives in Bali, said regular travellers appeared to be “a bit nervous” about the new task force, but he assures people that responsible tourists who follow the local laws and respect the local culture, people, and traditions shouldn’t be worried.
“If they do this, they will have an unforgettable holiday in Bali,” he said.
“What makes Bali unique and perfect for a holiday destination is the traditions, customs, and local people, so if you are doing the right thing, you have nothing to worry about in Bali or anywhere else in the world.”
Mr Singh Shekhawat said Intrepid Travel groups, which each have a locally trained guide, had not encountered any challenges from recent regulations established by the government.