The Bali provincial government is reportedly preparing a draft regional regulation that would require foreign tourists visiting the island to have a minimum amount of savings.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster said in Denpasar on Saturday that the regulation, to be titled the “Regional Regulation on the Implementation of Quality Tourism”, aims to promote higher quality tourism management on the island.
The proposed policy was previously conveyed to the Tourism Minister as one of Bali’s priority programs for 2026.
Under the plan, the provincial government would not set a fixed minimum amount. Instead, officials would assess a foreign visitor’s bank records from the past three months, adjusting the required level of funds based on the tourist’s planned activities and length of stay in Bali.
“The goal is to ensure that tourists coming to Bali have sufficient funds. If their money is only enough for a week, they should not end up staying for three weeks, becoming stranded, and engaging in criminal activities,” Koster explained.
The proposal comes amid growing concern following frequent findings by the Bali Provincial Government of foreign tourists running out of money and eventually violating regulations or even committing criminal acts in Bali.
By ensuring that tourists’ savings are aligned with their travel plans, the policy is also expected to boost spending in Bali’s local economy, particularly among micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
“They will spend more in Bali, helping to sustain our MSMEs, increasing local economic value, and they must also have a return ticket,” Koster said.
Rather than specifying a fixed savings threshold, the regulation would focus on mechanisms for verifying financial records over the previous three months, adjusted to visitors’ planned activities.
In addition to financial requirements, the regulation is aimed at visitors to respect local laws and Balinese culture.
