Brit holiday warning as top hotspot to hit all tourists with new charge

BRITISH holidaymakers have been warned over a new tourist charge in Bali.

Officials on the “Island of the Gods” announced a new tourist tax will be imposed on tourists to preserve its culture.

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The new charge of £7.5 will come into force next year and will apply to foreign tourists, Bangkok Post reported.

Governor I Wayan Koster told local lawmakers: “The payment of a fee for foreign tourists applies only one time during their visit to Bali.”

He added the fee will be paid electronically and will only apply to those visiting the island from abroad or other parts of Indonesia.

When asked whether the new tax would prevent visitors from travelling to Bali, Koster said he didn’t believe numbers would drop.

He said: “It’s not a problem. We will use it for the environment, culture and we will build better quality infrastructure so travelling to Bali will be more comfortable and safe.”

Official figures show that over two million tourists chose Bali for their holidays last year.

It comes as boozy Brits could be banned from Bali after a string of complaints from locals who claim they are trashing the island.

Officials are looking to cap international arrivals at seven million tourists per year – following a similar move by the Amsterdam city council.

The popular holiday hotspot has vowed a crackdown on disrespectful tourists following a string of incidents.

Earlier this year was kicked out of the island after taking a semi-nude photo on a mountain.

Yuri, from Russia, took a naked photo on Mount Agung, the highest point on Bali, which he posted online.

The Hindu Balinese believe that the volcano represents the god Shiva and is seen as disrespectful.

Another Russian was booted out of the island after she shared a nude photo of herself in front of a sacred tree.

And a Danish tourist was deported last month for reportedly flashing to the public while riding a motorbike.

A new book of strict rules will include instructions on how to dress and act appropriately.

Western visitors will be handed the document after Anggiat Napitupulu, Head of Bali’s Regional Office of Ministry of Law and Human Rights, announced the plans for a “good tourist guidebook”.

A number of holiday hotspots have decided to introduce tourist taxes, including several Spanish resorts.

Barcelona has already increased its tourist tax price this year and has plans for a further rise next year.

While local councils in the Valencia region have been given the go-ahead to apply a charge of up to €2 (£1.75) per person per night.

Popular resorts like Benidorm and the Costa Blanca, as well as the City of Valencia, could be affected, by the tax that is set to be imposed in December.

And Madrid has also joined the list of holiday destinations considering the controversial tourist tax.