Bali brings six new rules for Australian holidaymakers
Bali is cracking down on bogan behavior and the popular tourist destination is introducing a slew of new rules for holidaymakers.
Australians flock to the Indonesian island every year for cheap food, affordable accommodation and beautiful scenery.
Bali is the second most popular tourist destination for Australians, just behind New Zealand, with more than 2.1 million people visiting the island last year.
The laid-back atmosphere on the island could soon be a thing of the past as the island’s governor cracks down on bad behavior.
Bali is cracking down on bogan behavior and the popular tourist destination is introducing a slew of new rules for holidaymakers
Australians flock to the Indonesian island every year for cheap food, affordable accommodation and beautiful scenery
Bali Governor Wayan Koster has asked national authorities to ban all foreigners from renting motorcycles “to ensure quality and dignified tourism”.
The move comes after a campaign was launched targeting tourists wearing skimpy clothes and a ‘bonking ban’ was announced.
While the urge to crack down on bad behavior may come as a surprise to some, Indonesian authorities have been cracking down on unruly behavior for a few years now.
The Bali Tourism Board shared a post on social media last week with the headline: ‘Enjoying Bali?’
What followed was a list of polite reminders to tourists outlining how to “show respect” for their rich culture.
“For everyone’s safety, comfort and mutual respect, we ask that you follow some rules with common sense,” the poster reads.
Many tourists do not know that Bali is a conservative island in a deeply religious country.
Indonesia’s parliament last year passed legislation banning extramarital sex and cohabitation by unmarried couples.
A draft of the new laws states that while sex outside marriage would be prohibited, it could only be reported to authorities by a limited number of parties, such as close relatives.
That caveat may provide some protection for Australian citizens visiting or living in the country.
Clothing worn by tourists is also under scrutiny with a new education campaign launched in March to educate people on how to dress and behave appropriately.
Vacationers often stroll the streets in next to nothing, but there are areas where this shouldn’t happen, especially around sacred temples.
Bali Tourism Board chairman Ida Bagus agung Partha Adnyana said tourists should double check their outfits out of respect.
“It’s about tourists respecting the cultural customs of the Balinese by dressing well… and being orderly when conducting traffic activities,” he said.
Bali’s Tourism Board is in the ‘socialization’ phase of the campaign, which involves billboards.
Post shared on Bali Bogan’s Facebook page as the tourist destination cracks down on bad behaviour
A shirtless tourist is confronted by local police while on holiday in Bali
The latest move is aimed at tourists renting motorbikes and scooters.
Under the plan, unveiled this week, visitors would no longer be allowed to rent scooters and bicycles.
Koster wants travelers to use transport from travel agencies only after a number of incidents, such as abuse of the police by foreign motorcyclists, not wearing a helmet and using false license plates.
Footage has emerged this week of a tourist having a heated argument with a local officer after he was stopped for not wearing a helmet.
The shirtless tourist, who has a North American accent, was forced by officers to stop in the middle of a busy road.
He then accuses them of harassing him for money.
“Do you want to steal money, do you want to steal money, do you want to steal?”
A police officer who filmed the exchange then fires back, “Too much talk, you.”
“I’ve seen Balinese riding without a helmet time and time again and you don’t stop them, you don’t stop the Balinese,” the tourist responds.
When the officer tries to grab the bicycle and take it off the road, the man responds: ‘Don’t touch my stuff. Keep your hands off me.’
The clip then ends. It is unclear what happened next.
The tourist’s behavior has been labeled as rude and some have even called for their eviction.
“Bali doesn’t deserve this kind of foreigner,” one wrote.
Members of the Bali Bogans community Facebook group reacted to the new guidelines with varying emotions.
“I agree wholeheartedly,” said one member.
“Most of us tourists are tired of the behavior of some of those people. More respect please.’
“While I agree with the post, I think it’s hypocritical to instruct tourists what to do when their own people don’t even follow the rules, lead by example right?” said another person.
“Not all those things are laws, but common sense… and there is no other penalty for stupidity than karma,” said a third.