The Indonesian government is exploring the possibility of introducing levies for foreign tourists visiting five super-priority tourism destinations in the country. The proposed locations include Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Borobudur Temple in Central Java, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, and Likupang in North Sulawesi.

The announcement was made by Vinsensius Jemadu, the Deputy for Tourism Products and Organizing Activities at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. Jemadu highlighted the increasing popularity of these key tourist destinations and the need to ensure that they are well-prepared to accommodate a growing number of visitors.

"We have noticed developments as the popularity of Indonesia's key tourist destinations is on the rise. We are observing this in Central Java, Jogja, Semarang, Solo, Labuan Bajo, and Lake Toba – some of which are super-priority destinations," stated Jemadu.

He emphasized that as part of the country's future roadmap for premium areas, it is essential that these destinations have the infrastructure and resources to accommodate tourists effectively. This consideration has led to discussions about the implementation of tourist levies for these super-priority destinations.

The proposed levies would not be uniform across all destinations, as Jemadu pointed out that each location has varying capacities and levels of preparedness. However, it's important to note that the levy proposal for these five super-priority destinations remains unconfirmed at this stage.

"If we consider the trends, these destinations qualify as super-priority destinations. Nevertheless, we will evaluate the '3A' factors: accessibility, amenities, and attractions. This is merely a topic of discussion and has not been finalized," he elaborated.

The Indonesian government is drawing inspiration from the Rp150,000 levy for foreign tourists entering Bali, which is set to be enforced from February 2024. This policy aligns with global practices, as many countries worldwide are introducing similar levies, often referred to as city tourist taxes.

Looking ahead, Jemadu explained the government's intentions behind the proposed levies, saying, "From a tourism perspective, we genuinely intend for the tax revenue to benefit the tourism sector, including enhancements in hospitality, the development of human resources, and other incentives."

While the potential introduction of tourist levies in these super-priority destinations is still under discussion, it reflects Indonesia's commitment to promoting sustainable tourism and ensuring that its most popular destinations are adequately equipped to meet the demands of an ever-increasing number of travelers. The government's aim is to create a positive and memorable experience for tourists while also investing in the development and improvement of these picturesque destinations.