Higher Fees and Higher Visitor Numbers at Tanah Lot

(4/14/2007)

Apparently higher admission fees for both domestic and international visitors to Bali's iconic Pura Tanah Lot are having no ill-effect on the number of visitors eager to view the photograph the idyllic water-bound religious shrine just off Bali's western shoreline.

According to the management of Puri Tanah Lot, visitors have increased 34.35% over the past three months despite an increase in admission fees.

Starting from the beginning of 2007, domestic visitors have paid Rp. 5,000 (approximately US$0.54) to visit Tanah Lot, a 66% increase from the old rate of Rp. 3,000. Meanwhile, foreign visitors now pay a Rp. 10,000 admission fee (approximately US$1.09), twice the former Rp. 5,000 fee.

The first quarter of 2007 saw some 258,100 people visit Tanah Lot, up +34.35% from the 192,114 who visited during the same period in 2006.

Seeking to Provide a Better Tourism Experience

Tanah Lot Management and local community figures have recently adopted a much more pro-active approach to tourism by organizing major cultural events in the area, improving security through the installation of CCTV cameras and employing trained life guards for the area's beaches.