A Stinging Admission

(9/17/2011)

Following a trend in other parts of the island, official tourist sites operated by the Badung regency government in South Bali are set to be dramatically increased.

Now being considered by the Badung House of Representatives (DPR-Badung) is a revision of admission fees from the current Rp. 5,000 for adults (US$0.55) and Rp. 3,000 for children (US$0.35).

While plans in the regency’s budget originally called to double the rate to Rp. 10,000 (US$1.10) for adults and Rp. 5,000 (US$0.70) for children, legislators are calling for a more ambitious hike to Rp. 50,000 (US$5.55) for adults and Rp. 25,000 (US$2.80) for children.

In defending the proposed highest level of increase that, if approved, would represent a 1,00% increase over the current admission costs, legislators argue the higher rates will permit larger allocations of much-needed community improvement funds from visitor revenues to the villages surrounding the tourist sites.

While no formal decision has yet to be made on the amount of the proposed increase and the effective date for its introduction, among the sites to be affected by any eventual price hike are the Sangeh Monkey Forest, Taman Ayun at Mengwi, Uluwatu Temple, and the Nungnung waterfall at Petang.