In the last few months, the Indonesian government has cracked down on tourist behaviour, with its latest move another way to keep visitors from foreign countries – including Australia – in line.
The popular island is now issuing a “guide book” with instructions on how to dress and act while visiting the hotspot.
Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Anggiat Napitupulu, said work is under way on the government’s new tourist book, The Bali Sun reported.
“It needs to be known that not all foreigners know what things are allowed and not allowed in Bali,” he told reporters over the weekend.
“We hope to accelerate the completion of the guide book or guidance book do’s and don’ts.”
It is expected to include an introduction to Balinese culture and customs, explain the island’s road rules and give tourists instructions on how to dress and behave in, on or around sacred sites and cultural landmarks.
It comes as a Russian tourist will allegedly be deported for violating immigration rules after posing semi-naked on a sacred site.
The Russian man, who goes by the name of Yuri, shared a now deleted post to his Instagram posing on top of Mt Agung with his pants and underwear around his ankles.
The volcano, located in Karangasem Regency, in the northeast corner of Bali island, is considered a dwelling place of the gods.
No further information on when and where the guide book would be made available has been released.
However, it’s the latest mission in educating foreigners about the cultures, rules and traditions of the island.
Bali is a conservative island in a deeply religious country – something tourists often forget, seeing it instead as a carefree paradise where anything goes.
For that reason, last month Bali Tourism Board chairman Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana announced educational billboards would go up around the island targeting skimpy clothes and unruly behaviour.
“The point is that tourists respect Balinese cultural customs by dressing well and neatly, following in an orderly manner, carrying out traffic activities and not doing things that are outside the provisions,” he told The Bali Sun.
It will see at least 10 large billboards installed with instructions and advice in foreign languages, including English.
“Indeed, we are welcoming and accept everything. Guests are king – but don’t abuse,” Mr Adnyana said.
The tourism board said it will collaborate with influencers, tourism stakeholders and e-commerce business to help spread the message.
Angus Kidman, travel expert at Finder, told news.com.au it isn’t a surprising move.
“In recent years we’ve seen increasing efforts by Indonesian authorities to clamp down on unruly behaviour,” Mr Kidman told news.com.au.
“The most infamous example is the ‘bonk ban’ on unmarried couples. Authorities say that won’t apply to tourists, but it does reinforce that Indonesia takes this issue seriously.
“Good manners and respect are essential for all tourists in every destination. You’re risking a fine or even deportation if you run wild and ignore local attitudes.”
Aussies have been called out for their rude behaviour and inappropriate outfits when visiting sacred areas in the past.
In October last year, an Aussie man was shamed online after a video emerged of him doing a burnout on a rented scooter in the middle of a busy road.
In 2019, an apprentice builder from Adelaide, made international headlines when he fly-kicked a man off his motorbike after a cocktail-induced binge resulted in allegations of assault and smashed windows.
And after a particularly bad few recent months for nasty accidents and foreigners acting up on two wheels, the island is also looking at a possible ban on foreigners from riding motorbikes after a spate of recent accidents.
Bali is even considering a tax on tourists and is targeting foreigners working illegally.
A special task force has been set up, made up of local officials and the immigration office, to monitor foreigners’ activities.
Bali Chamber of Commerce and Industry chair Made Ariandi said non-citizens were not allowed to work, and that starting businesses or taking jobs illegally negatively impacted local entrepreneurs.
It comes as Balinese officials also crack down on Russian tourists – who make up the second biggest group of foreigners visiting the island after Australians.
In the first three months of the year, 620 foreigners were deported from Indonesia, according to the director general of immigration.
Reasons included the foreigners misusing visas and residence permits, overstaying, disrupting public order, misbehaving, and not complying with Indonesian regulations.
