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Bali is cracking down on ‘bogan behaviour’ with the popular tourist destination introducing a raft of new rules for holidaymakers.
Australians flock to the Indonesian island every year for cheap food, affordable accommodation and stunning 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 may soon be a thing of the past as the island’s governor cracks down on bad behaviour.
Bali is cracking down on ‘bogan behaviour’ with the popular tourist destination introducing a raft of new rules for holidaymakers
Australians flock to the Indonesian island every year for cheap food, affordable accommodation and stunning scenery
Bali Governor Wayan Koster has asked national authorities to ban all foreigners from hiring motorbikes ‘to ensure quality and dignified tourism’.
The move comes after a campaign was launched targeting tourists wearing skimpy clothing and a ‘bonk ban’ was announced.
While the push to crack down on bad behaviour may be surprising for some, Indonesian authorities have been clamping down on unruly behaviour for a few years.
The Bali Tourism Board shared a post to 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 you follow some common sense rules,’ the poster reads.
Many tourists are unaware Bali is a conservative island in a deeply religious country.
Indonesia’s parliament approved legislation last year to outlaw sex outside marriage and cohabitation by unmarried couples.
A draft of the new laws states that while sex outside marriage would be banned, 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 who visit or live in the country.
Outfits worn by tourists is also under scrutiny with a new education campaign launched in March informing people how to dress and act appropriately.
Holidaymakers often stroll through the streets in next-to-nothing, but there are areas where this should not be happening, especially around sacred temples.
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Bali Tourism Board chairman Ida Bagus agung Partha Adnyana said tourists needed to double check their outfits out of respect.
‘The point is for tourists to respect the cultural customs of the Balinese by dressing well… and being orderly in carrying out traffic activities,’ he said.
Bali’s Tourism Board is in the ‘socialisation’ phase of the campaign, which involves billboards.
Notice shared on Bali Bogans Facebook page as the tourist destination clamps down on bad behaviour
A shirtless tourist confronted by local police while holidaying in Bali
The latest move is aimed at tourists renting motorbikes and scooters.
Under the plan, which was revealed this week, visitors would be banned from renting scooters and bikes.
Mr Koster wants travellers to only use transportation provided by travel agencies after a number of incidents, such as foreign riders abusing police, failing to wear helmets and using fake number plates.
Footage emerged this week of a tourist in a heated exchange with a local cop after he was pulled over for not wearing a helmet.
The shirtless tourist, who has a North American accent, was forced to stop in the middle of a busy road by officers.
He then accuses them of harassing him for money.
‘You want to steal money, you want to steal money, you want to steal?’
A police officer who filmed the exchange then fires back: ‘Too much talking, you.’
‘I’ve been watching Balinese people ride over and over again with no helmet and you don’t stop them, you don’t stop the Balinese,’ the tourist responds.
When the officer attempts to grab the bike and move 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 behaviour has been slammed as rude, with some even calling for him to be deported.
‘Bali doesn’t deserve foreigners like this,’ one person wrote.
Members of the community Facebook group Bali Bogans reacted to the new guidelines with a range of emotions.
‘Heartily agree,’ one member said.
‘Most of us tourists are sick of the behaviour of some of those people. More respect please.’
‘While I agree with the post I believe it’s hypocritical to instruct tourists what to do when their own people don’t even follow the rules, lead by example right?’ another person said.
‘Not all of those things are laws but common sense … and there is no penalty for stupidity other than karma,’ a third said.
