Tangerang, Banten (ANTARA) - Quality tourism standards, including firm action against misbehaving foreign nationals, have been implemented in Bali to preserve the island's cultural values, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has said.
Steps to monitor and control foreigners causing trouble in Bali have been carried out by related stakeholders, ranging from the immigration authorities to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.
"I believe it has begun to be implemented following discussions with Sandiaga Uno," Pandjaitan said on Tuesday, referring to the Tourism and Creative Economy Minister.
He emphasized that Indonesia, particularly Bali, does not need foreign tourists who cause trouble by engaging in illegal activities such as drug use and nudity, which are prohibited by the country's laws.
The move to create quality tourism standards for Bali was made in response to complaints from local Balinese people about misbehaving foreigners on the island.
As per the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of Bali province, in the period from January to August 27, 2024, as many as 157 foreign nationals were deported and 194 others were temporarily detained at the Immigration Detention Center awaiting deportation.
Thus, in total, 351 foreigners received immigration sanctions. The foreign nationals found committing the most immigration violations were from Russia, Nigeria, China, Australia, the Philippines, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
Baca juga: Minister seeks people's support to make Indonesian a global language
Baca juga: Foreign doctors to save 12 thousand babies with heart disease: govt
They were found guilty of violating stay permits, exceeding the validity period of stay permits, and being involved in criminal cases. Pandjaitan assured that actions against misbehaving foreign tourists in Bali will not disrupt the growth of tourism on the island. In fact, it would demonstrate Indonesia's firm stance against rule violators, he said.
He added that such firm steps could open up new opportunities for quality foreign tourists — who are willing to obey the rules — to travel to Bali and significantly boost its economic growth.
"We lost 5,000 misbehaving tourists, and that is okay. After that, (I am optimistic) quality tourists will come. And now, it seems people are starting to listen to that, and are starting to come back to travel to Indonesia," he said.