Bali Weighs Bank Balance Checks for Foreign Tourists as Jakarta Urges Caution

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Indonesia’s Tourism Ministry said a proposal by the Bali provincial government to require foreign tourists to disclose their financial condition before visiting the island remains under discussion and is not a national policy. The idea has drawn attention as authorities seek to shift the country’s tourism strategy toward higher quality visitors rather than sheer volume.

Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Luh Puspa said the proposal originated from the Bali governor and would need broader consultation before any decision could be made. “We need to talk about it and listen to the governor’s perspective, so that is something we will discuss later,” she said on Thursday, Jan 22, 2026, when asked whether the rule could be applied nationally.

The proposal was outlined by Wayan Koster, who said the Bali provincial administration was drafting a regional regulation on quality tourism management. One provision under consideration would require foreign visitors to show their financial condition over the past three months as part of entry requirements.

“Tourism quality can be measured by how much money tourists have in their savings over the last three months,” Koster said, arguing that the measure would help filter visitors and ensure better economic impact for local communities.

Under the plan, foreign tourists would also be asked to submit detailed travel itineraries, including length of stay and planned activities while in Bali. Provincial officials said the measures were intended to better manage visitor flows and reduce problems associated with low spending or rule breaking tourists.

Koster said similar requirements were common in other countries. “This is to ensure everything is controlled, just like when we travel abroad, where we must comply with similar policies,” he said.

The central government has not yet indicated whether it will adopt the Bali proposal as a national standard. Ni Luh said cross sector dialogue would be essential before any move forward, given the potential implications for tourism, immigration, and Indonesia’s international image.

For now, Jakarta remains focused on promoting quality tourism, emphasizing better destinations, improved visitor experiences, and stronger economic impact rather than simply increasing arrival numbers. Officials say that shift is critical to ensuring tourism growth remains sustainable over the long term.