Latest news with #TourismTax
News.com.au
07-07-2025
- News.com.au
‘Pay up': Warning for tourists headed to Bali
Bali made a record-breaking $87,000 in one day from the Tourism Tax Levy earlier this year, and with an influx of international visitors expected to descend on the island throughout 2025, the government is reminding tourists to 'pay up'. The island introduced the 150,000 IDR ($15) Tourism Tax Levy fee in February last year with plans to use the money to help protect Bali's culture and customs, as well as protecting the island's natural environment and sustainable tourism practices. Data from the Bali Provincial Government revealed the province received IDR 168 billion in revenue between January and June 2025 – about $A16 million. Bali governor Wayan Koster said on one record-breaking day, Bali received IDR 933 million – $A87,000. According to The Bali Sun, he told reporters if this trend continues, the potential annual revenue is estimated to reach IDR 340 billion. Aussies still make up a huge chunk of overseas visitors, with travel data shared by Ngurah Rai Immigration revealing 344,639 Aussies visited the island in January to March. However, while the island continues to attract plenty of tourists, in turn boosting its economy, not everyone is contributing to the tourism tax, with as few as 35 per cent of visitors having paid the mandatory fee by the end of the first year of the policy. According to Time magazine, Mr Koster said those who fail to pay the fee may face consequences ranging from being denied entry to attractions, fines, or even deportation. He said he is working with a range of stakeholders, including in the hotel sector, to ensure the funds are spent in ways that benefit Bali residents, the environment, and tourists. Tourists are encouraged to pay the fee before arriving to Bali via Love Bali – part of the official government website. Travellers will need their passport number and email address handy. There is also the option to select 'Group' if travelling with family or friends. Each member will then be emailed a unique QR code. The payment can also be made on arrival at Bali's main airport – I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. However, some have complained it adds an extra step in the arrivals process. The goal of the tourism tax is to help the government 'preserve the integrity and balance of Bali's nature, its people, and their culture'.
Pembrokeshire Herald
10-06-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Police renew appeal for witnesses after three-vehicle crash on A477
Opposition parties blame Labour's tax policies and call for urgent reforms WALES continues to have the lowest employment rate in Britain, according to the latest official figures released for May 2025, sparking renewed political criticism over the Welsh Government's economic performance and approach to tackling poverty. The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that employment in Wales stands at 72.2%, the lowest in Britain, compared to a UK average of 75.1%. Meanwhile, economic inactivity—people neither in work nor actively seeking work—remains the highest in Britain at 24.2%, above the UK average of 21.3%. Unemployment in Wales has risen to 4.7%, a year-on-year increase of 1.3 percentage points, and the number of paid employees has dropped by 5,300 in the past month, according to separate figures from Stats Wales. The figures have prompted concern from opposition parties, who argue that tax and regulatory policies are pushing businesses to halt recruitment or cut jobs. Welsh Conservative Shadow Economy Secretary Samuel Kurtz MS said: 'Under Labour, our economy is broken, both here in Wales and across the United Kingdom. You cannot tax your way to prosperity.' He criticised what he called a 'regulatory stranglehold' on enterprise, including business rates, the so-called 'jobs tax,' and the proposed Tourism Tax, which he claims stifles growth. 'We would scrap business rates for small firms, revitalise our high streets and axe the Tourism Tax once and for all,' Kurtz added. Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick went further, saying: 'These figures show the huge damage Labour's misguided jobs tax is already having on the Welsh economy. With Wales more dependent on small businesses than other parts of the UK, the Chancellor must scrap it now.' The criticism was echoed by the Welsh Conservatives' Shadow Social Justice Secretary Dr Altaf Hussain MS, who cited a recent 'Poverty in Wales' report revealing that 22% of the population—around 700,000 people—are living in poverty. This includes 200,000 children (31%), 400,000 working-age adults (21%), and 100,000 pensioners (16%). 'After 26 years of Labour in Wales, poverty remains stubbornly high,' Dr Hussain said. 'We would cut taxes for working families and match England's childcare offer, enabling more parents to work and reducing child poverty.' The Welsh Government has not yet responded to the latest labour market figures or the criticism from opposition parties. Ministers have previously stated they are focused on reducing regional inequality and supporting job creation through skills programmes and targeted investments. The full employment and poverty statistics can be accessed via Stats Wales and the Office for National Statistics.
Pembrokeshire Herald
10-06-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Welsh employment rate remains lowest in Britain as poverty and joblessness rise
Opposition parties blame Labour's tax policies and call for urgent reforms WALES continues to have the lowest employment rate in Britain, according to the latest official figures released for May 2025, sparking renewed political criticism over the Welsh Government's economic performance and approach to tackling poverty. The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that employment in Wales stands at 72.2%, the lowest in Britain, compared to a UK average of 75.1%. Meanwhile, economic inactivity—people neither in work nor actively seeking work—remains the highest in Britain at 24.2%, above the UK average of 21.3%. Unemployment in Wales has risen to 4.7%, a year-on-year increase of 1.3 percentage points, and the number of paid employees has dropped by 5,300 in the past month, according to separate figures from Stats Wales. The figures have prompted concern from opposition parties, who argue that tax and regulatory policies are pushing businesses to halt recruitment or cut jobs. Welsh Conservative Shadow Economy Secretary Samuel Kurtz MS said: 'Under Labour, our economy is broken, both here in Wales and across the United Kingdom. You cannot tax your way to prosperity.' He criticised what he called a 'regulatory stranglehold' on enterprise, including business rates, the so-called 'jobs tax,' and the proposed Tourism Tax, which he claims stifles growth. 'We would scrap business rates for small firms, revitalise our high streets and axe the Tourism Tax once and for all,' Kurtz added. Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick went further, saying: 'These figures show the huge damage Labour's misguided jobs tax is already having on the Welsh economy. With Wales more dependent on small businesses than other parts of the UK, the Chancellor must scrap it now.' The criticism was echoed by the Welsh Conservatives' Shadow Social Justice Secretary Dr Altaf Hussain MS, who cited a recent 'Poverty in Wales' report revealing that 22% of the population—around 700,000 people—are living in poverty. This includes 200,000 children (31%), 400,000 working-age adults (21%), and 100,000 pensioners (16%). 'After 26 years of Labour in Wales, poverty remains stubbornly high,' Dr Hussain said. 'We would cut taxes for working families and match England's childcare offer, enabling more parents to work and reducing child poverty.' The Welsh Government has not yet responded to the latest labour market figures or the criticism from opposition parties. Ministers have previously stated they are focused on reducing regional inequality and supporting job creation through skills programmes and targeted investments. The full employment and poverty statistics can be accessed via Stats Wales and the Office for National Statistics.
