Bali’s governor, Wayan Koster, has criticised a growing trend of foreign visitors, with many claims pointing to Russians as the majority of those breaking local rules. He indicated that Bali could adopt a tourist quota system to manage the influx more effectively. These remarks were reported by the detikNews portal.
The governor noted a rise in crimes among visitors and estimated that roughly 101 foreigners, including 27 Russians, have been deported from Bali since January 2023. He also suggested that there may be around 50 thousand Russian nationals living on the island. He argued that Bali should abandon mass tourism in favor of a quota system spanning the next century. If unaddressed, he warned that poorer travelers would be the most affected, often reducing their spending and flouting rules, ultimately leading to more incidents of theft and disorder. Source: DetikNews
Koster said discussions would be held with the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurants Association and other relevant bodies about implementing a quota system. He proposed that potential visitors plan and apply for a Bali holiday about a year in advance to ensure orderly budgeting and coordination. Source: DetikNews
Former Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri expressed outrage over the reported violations by tourists and supported restrictive measures. She reportedly briefed President Joko Widodo on the situation and potential remedies. Source: DetikNews
On March 13, Koster called for removing the simplified visa process for citizens of Russia and Ukraine. He cited complaints about hospitality abuse from local residents and service providers, who also disliked foreign visitors staying beyond their holidays and taking local jobs. He also announced a ban on motorcycle rentals for tourists due to increased accidents. Source: DetikNews
Official figures from the Indonesian government show that about 60 thousand Russian travelers visited Bali in 2022, and 22.5 thousand Russian entries were recorded at Denpasar Airport in January 2023. Ukrainians were reported as far fewer, with fewer complaints. Source: DetikNews
Locals have voiced concerns about competition for jobs in areas such as taxi driving, hairdressing, childcare, and fitness instruction. A common worry is the migration of jobs in tourism and entertainment to foreign workers, including Russians and Ukrainians who previously taught surfing and mountaineering on the island. Source: DetikNews
In late 2022, a local initiative on social media drew attention when an account circulated posts about foreigners offering services on Bali. The organizer claimed the page contained details about illegal activities and denied xenophobic intent, arguing the information highlighted breaches of local norms by some visitors. The page also featured videos showing tourists behaving provocatively or violating local customs. Source: DetikNews
There have been deportations related to behavior considered disrespectful at cultural sites. In May, two Russian citizens were expelled for disrespectful conduct at the Pura Besakih temple complex. Earlier, a blogger faced removal after a video showing improper conduct at Mount Agung was shared online. Source: DetikNews
Authorities in Bali stress that policies toward foreign visitors are still under discussion at the national level. The head of Bali’s Justice and Human Rights Office stressed that free entry for foreigners remains a key element of national policy, with decisions needing to involve federal authorities and input from other Indonesian regions. Source: DetikNews