Australians, be warned if you’re heading to Bali. After a string of incidents on the paradise island, authorities have issued a lengthy statement, taking aim at disrespectful tourists.

Bali is just about to come into its peak season, which runs from July to August, but already the behaviour of tourists leaves much to be desired.

Acting governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya has issued a statement for those already on the island and those coming due to a rise in tourists behaving badly.

According to The Bali Sun, there were a number of reports made to the authorities about foreigners who were “breaking the law, disturbing the peace, and disrespecting local culture and customs”.

Among the incidents was a tourist who became involved in a physical fight with a tour guide driver after he was asked to stand in a line to take a photo.

A South African was arrested for causing a disturbance and two British tourists hijacked a vehicle and drove to the airport.

Two tourists from South America will also be deported, after it was discovered they had not paid their bills at a hotel they had been staying at for more than 20 days.

Bali Tourism Office head Tjok Bagus Pemayun said there should be a “zero tolerance” policy for tourists who break the law or the rules of their visa conditions.

Bali open to tourists, not disrespect

After the incidents, Jaya reiterated that while Bali will always be open to tourists, he hopes they will continue to follow the rules.

“As hosts, we are open to foreigners coming. But we also hope that tourists who come to Bali can respect the customs and culture here,” he told The Bali Sun.

This time last year, Indonesia’s tourist hotspot was dealing with the same issues.

Frustrated by some tourists’ behaviours, the government signed off on 12 ‘dos’ and eight ‘dont’s’ for international tourists.

Over the years, Bali has continually warned tourists to be on their best behaviour, asking them to respect their culture, wear appropriate clothing when visiting sacred places, and comply with local laws.

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“The point is that tourists respect Balinese cultural customs by dressing well and neatly, following in an orderly manner, carrying out traffic activities and not doing things that are outside the provisions,” Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, the tourism board’s chairman, told The Bali Sun at the time.

“Guests are king, but don’t abuse.”

It doesn’t appear as though any Australians are involved in the incidents that happened in the past week, but there have been several occasions in which Australians have been called out.

Between January 1 and April 17 last year Bali deported 93 foreigners, including six Australians, mainly due to visa or permit violations or legal breaches, Nine News reported.

According to The Bali Sun, so far in 2024, more than 140 foreigners have been deported, with more awaiting processing.