Latest news with #IWayanKoster
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Bali to ban production of bottled water under 1 litre
The ban is set to take effect in January 2026. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: UNSPLASH BALI - Bali Governor I Wayan Koster has announced plans to ban the production of water bottles smaller than 1 litre, in an effort to address the island's growing waste problem, which has been linked to several environmental disasters. On May 29, Mr Koster summoned bottled water producers to a meeting in Denpasar to announce a new policy banning the production of water bottles smaller than 1 litre, which is set to take effect in January 2026. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
South China Morning Post
31-03-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Indonesia's Bali vows to become waste-free in two years
The Indonesian resort island of Bali has vowed to clean up its waste in two years. Advertisement Provincial governor I Wayan Koster confirmed last week that the aim was to make the island waste-free by 2027. 'One of the urgent priorities is to make Bali free from waste. The target is within two years, the sooner, the better,' he told The Bali Sun newspaper. The two-year deadline was mentioned by environment minister Hanif Nurofiq on March 24 during a site inspection for a proposed waste management facility on the island. The facility is expected to include a waste-to-energy function to support sustainability, according to local media Nusa Bali. A man collects plastic and other debris washed ashore at a beach in Kedonganan, Bali. Photo: AFP 'We hope that this pressure will allow Bali to lead the charge on waste management,' Gary Bencheghib, co-founder of local environmental group Sungai Watch, said in a social media post.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘We expect respect': Bali cracks down on ‘naughty' tourists with strict new rules
Bali has introduced a series of new guidelines for tourists in a bid to clamp down on inappropriate behaviour. Authorities say the strict measures aim to safeguard the Indonesian island's cultural integrity and sacred sites. The rules cover clothing and behaviour when visiting temples and religious complexes, including prohibiting menstruating women from entering. The mayor has warned that some transgressions could be met with legal consequences under Indonesian law. The new regulations were issued by Bali governor I Wayan Koster on 24 March. 'We issued a similar regulation before, but as things change, we need to adapt. This ensures that Bali's tourism remains respectful, sustainable, and in harmony with our local values,' Koster said. The guidelines focus on ensuring respectful behaviour when visiting sacred sites and enforcing the payment of Bali's tourist levy. They also oblige tourists to use licensed guides and accommodation, follow traffic laws and exchange currency at authorised outlets. 'I am implementing this circular as an immediate measure to regulate foreign tourists while they are in Bali,' Koster added. The new rules require tourists to wear modest and respectful clothing and to 'behave respectfully whether at religious sites, restaurants, shopping areas, or public roads'. Visitors are banned from swearing, causing disturbances, or being rude to locals, officials, or fellow tourists. The mayor also said that 'sharing hate speech or misinformation on social media is also prohibited'. Other outlawed activities include entering sacred temple areas without permission, littering, and working without permits. Related 'We must avoid tourists becoming public enemies': Ban on new hotels as overtourism threatens Bali Barcelona, Venice, Bali: How hotspot destinations are spending millions in tourist tax revenue Single-use plastics, including plastic bags, styrofoam, plastic straws, and plastic-packaged drinks, are also banned. Under the new guidelines, foreign tourists 'should observe and honour Balinese customs, traditions, and cultural practices, especially during ceremonies' and 'dress appropriately when visiting temples, tourist attractions, or public spaces'. In addition, foreign visitors are not permitted to 'enter sacred temple areas unless they are worshippers wearing traditional Balinese attire'. The directive adds that 'menstruating women are also prohibited from entering these areas'. Tourists are also not allowed to climb sacred trees or monuments or take inappropriate or nude photos at religious sites. Last February, Bali introduced a one-time entry fee of 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (€9) for international visitors to fund conservation efforts. As part of the new guidelines, 'tourists who fail to pay the tourist levy will be denied access to attractions, and those caught violating the regulations will face legal consequences in accordance with Indonesian law'. Recently, Balinese officials floated a daily tourist tax similar to the $100 (€95) Sustainable Development Fee that Bhutan charges most international visitors. The directive comes just a few days before Nyepi - a sacred holiday known as the day of silence - on 29 March. The festival sees the island come to a standstill for 24 hours, requiring everyone, including tourists, to stay indoors. 'We have prepared a special team to conduct an operation. Foreign tourists who are naughty will be immediately dealt with firmly,' Koster was quoted as saying by local newspaper The Bali Sun. He added that the island's civil service police unit will be monitoring tourist behaviour and ensuring compliance with the new regulations. 'Bali is a beautiful, sacred island, and we expect our guests to show the same respect that we extend to them,' Koster said.
Euronews
27-03-2025
- Euronews
‘We expect respect': Bali cracks down on ‘naughty' tourists with strict new rules
ADVERTISEMENT Bali has introduced a series of new guidelines for tourists in a bid to clamp down on inappropriate behaviour. Authorities say the strict measures aim to safeguard the Indonesian island's cultural integrity and sacred sites. The rules cover clothing and behaviour when visiting temples and religious complexes, including prohibiting menstruating women from entering. The mayor has warned that some transgressions could be met with legal consequences under Indonesian law. New guidelines to regulate foreign tourists while in Bali The new regulations were issued by Bali governor I Wayan Koster on 24 March. 'We issued a similar regulation before, but as things change, we need to adapt. This ensures that Bali's tourism remains respectful, sustainable, and in harmony with our local values,' Koster said. The guidelines focus on ensuring respectful behaviour when visiting sacred sites and enforcing the payment of Bali 's tourist levy. They also oblige tourists to use licensed guides and accommodation, follow traffic laws and exchange currency at authorised outlets. 'I am implementing this circular as an immediate measure to regulate foreign tourists while they are in Bali,' Koster added. New rules ban inappropriate photos and single-use plastics The new rules require tourists to wear modest and respectful clothing and to 'behave respectfully whether at religious sites, restaurants, shopping areas, or public roads'. Visitors are banned from swearing, causing disturbances, or being rude to locals, officials, or fellow tourists. The mayor also said that 'sharing hate speech or misinformation on social media is also prohibited'. Other outlawed activities include entering sacred temple areas without permission, littering, and working without permits. Related 'We must avoid tourists becoming public enemies': Ban on new hotels as overtourism threatens Bali Barcelona, Venice, Bali: How hotspot destinations are spending millions in tourist tax revenue Single-use plastics, including plastic bags, styrofoam, plastic straws, and plastic-packaged drinks, are also banned. Under the new guidelines, foreign tourists 'should observe and honour Balinese customs, traditions, and cultural practices, especially during ceremonies' and 'dress appropriately when visiting temples, tourist attractions, or public spaces'. In addition, foreign visitors are not permitted to 'enter sacred temple areas unless they are worshippers wearing traditional Balinese attire'. The directive adds that 'menstruating women are also prohibited from entering these areas'. ADVERTISEMENT Tourists are also not allowed to climb sacred trees or monuments or take inappropriate or nude photos at religious sites. Tourists who fail to pay visitor levy face legal consequences Last February, Bali introduced a one-time entry fee of 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (€9) for international visitors to fund conservation efforts. As part of the new guidelines, 'tourists who fail to pay the tourist levy will be denied access to attractions, and those caught violating the regulations will face legal consequences in accordance with Indonesian law'. Recently, Balinese officials floated a daily tourist tax similar to the $100 (€95) Sustainable Development Fee that Bhutan charges most international visitors. ADVERTISEMENT 'We expect our guests to show the same respect that we extend to them' The directive comes just a few days before Nyepi - a sacred holiday known as the day of silence - on 29 March. The festival sees the island come to a standstill for 24 hours, requiring everyone, including tourists, to stay indoors. 'We have prepared a special team to conduct an operation. Foreign tourists who are naughty will be immediately dealt with firmly,' Koster was quoted as saying by local newspaper The Bali Sun. He added that the island's civil service police unit will be monitoring tourist behaviour and ensuring compliance with the new regulations. 'Bali is a beautiful, sacred island, and we expect our guests to show the same respect that we extend to them,' Koster said. ADVERTISEMENT
The Independent
26-03-2025
- The Independent
All the things prohibited for ‘naughty' tourists on Indonesia's sacred Bali island
Bali authorities have issued new guidelines to address 'misbehaviour' among foreign tourists in a bid to protect the Indonesian island's cultural integrity, including a rule prohibiting menstruating women from entering sacred temple areas. The rules, issued by Bali governor I Wayan Koster on 24 March, include respecting sacred sites, dressing modestly, behaving politely, paying a tourist levy online, using licensed guides and accommodations, following traffic laws, and exchanging currency at authorised outlets. Governor Koster said: 'We issued a similar regulation before, but as things change, we need to adapt. This ensures that Bali's tourism remains respectful, sustainable, and in harmony with our local values.' According to the new guidelines, prohibitions include entering sacred temple areas without permission, littering, using single-use plastics, inappropriate behaviour, working without permits, and illegal activities. Mr Koster said: 'I am implementing this circular as an immediate measure to regulate foreign tourists while they are in Bali.' The new guidelines advise that foreign tourists 'should observe and honour Balinese customs, traditions, and cultural practices, especially during ceremonies' and 'dress appropriately when visiting temples, tourist attractions, or public spaces'. Under the new guidelines, 'tourists are expected to wear modest and respectful clothing'. The mayor has also asked visitors to Bali to 'behave respectfully whether at religious sites, restaurants, shopping areas, or public roads'. Mr Koster also said that 'tourists who fail to pay the tourist levy will be denied access to attractions, and those caught violating the regulations will face legal consequences in accordance with Indonesian law'. The new guidelines mention that foreign tourists are not allowed to 'enter sacred temple areas unless they are worshippers wearing traditional Balinese attire'. It adds: 'Menstruating women are also prohibited from entering these areas.' Tourists are also not allowed to 'climb sacred trees or monuments – this includes taking inappropriate or nude photos at religious sites'. Use of single-use plastics – plastic bags, styrofoam, plastic straws, and plastic-packaged drinks' have also been banned. Bali is also banning 'swearing', and has asked tourists to avoid 'causing disturbances, or being rude to locals, officials, or fellow tourists'. The mayor also said that 'sharing hate speech or misinformation on social media is also prohibited'. Mr Koster said: 'Bali is a beautiful, sacred island, and we expect our guests to show the same respect that we extend to them.' Mr Koster's announcement comes just days before Nyepi – Bali's sacred day of silence – set for Saturday, 19 March 29 this year. During the 24-hour period from 6am on Saturday to 6am on Sunday, everyone, including tourists, must remain indoors. 'We have prepared a special team to conduct an operation. Foreign tourists who are naughty will be immediately dealt with firmly,' the governor was quoted as saying by The Bali Sun. He also said that Bali's civil service police unit will closely monitor tourist behaviour and ensure compliance with the new cultural guidelines. Bali has been struggling with issues of overtourism and misbehaving travellers for years. In 2023, officials considered introducing a tourist tax to discourage 'cheap tourists who tend to cause a lot of problems'. In 2019, Mr Koster suggested that authorities should just 'send them home' after an Instagram influencer couple was caught on camera splashing themselves with holy water at a temple. Also, in recent years, a Russian man apologised after posing semi-naked on a sacred site, while a Russian woman was deported for taking nude photos in front of a sacred tree. In 2024, Indonesia saw a significant rise in international tourism, with 13.9 million visitors compared to 11.68 million in 2023, according to the country's tourism ministry data.
