In Reply to: Does'nt make sense posted by Ludo ® on Sunday, 1. September 2002 at 06:25 Bali Time:
it seems to me just another example of xenophobia. they may have problems with some foreigners staying to work but lets be realistic - how many - a few hundred or thousand at the most. and most of those usually set up some business and employ locals or use their services. to say other countries dont reciprocate is a bit naive - the countries that don't just issue visa's (such as europe, america and australia) are justifiable afraid that given half a chance half the indonesian population (or anyone of a dozen "poorer" nations) will decamp and turn up on their doorstep for "a better life". a tax on tourists will always do one thing - turn them away. here in australia we have enough against us leaving - departure tax, airport tax, ansett tax, noise tax - often an extra aud$100 just to leave - bali could just write of a whole industry if they impose any such suggestion or fee (imagine a family of 4 having to pay another $100+ to holiday for a week). i now it doesn't make sense but its just the sort of thing some capital city politician would do to win short-term votes.