In a video posted on social media in early October, Indonesian Senator I Gusti Arya Wedakarna called on domestic travelers to develop a habit of tipping at tourist destinations, describing the practice as part of Bali’s service culture, Jakarta Globe reported.
“Foreign tourists are used to giving tips and that’s why local Balinese residents are more enthusiastic to serving tourists,” Wedakarna said.
The senator stressed that Bali should protect and treat all visitors equally, regardless of where they come from, as the island depends on both domestic and international tourism.
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Foreign tourists on the Indonesian island of Bali. Photo by AFP |
Bali received approximately 16.3 million visitors last year, including 9.3 million domestic tourists and 7.05 million international arrivals.
Through July 2026, total tourist arrivals in Bali reached 9.9 million, including 3.9 million foreign tourists.
Wedakarna’s comments have reignited concerns that tourism businesses and service workers prioritize foreign visitors because of their higher spending power, potentially leaving Indonesian travelers feeling undervalued.
On social media, some users have encouraged Indonesians to explore alternative destinations, including East Nusa Tenggara and Sumba, where tourism spending can also benefit local communities.
Others criticized the growing emphasis on tipping, with one describing the practice as “absurd.”
Ni Luh Djelantik, a Bali representative on Indonesia’s Regional Representative Council, said foreign tourists should not automatically be considered more generous than domestic visitors.
She noted that many foreigners in Bali travel on tight budgets, staying in cheap guesthouses, buying takeaway food and queuing alongside local residents, the South China Morning Post reported.
The controversy has raised concerns among Balinese residents that the dispute could damage the island’s reputation, discourage domestic travel and undermine public perceptions of local service workers.
I Putu Winastra, chairman of the Bali chapter of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA), also rejected the generalization that domestic visitors are less generous than international tourists.
“You cannot generalize about all 10 million domestic tourists. Many of them do tip—sometimes even more generously than international guests. When we provide service with genuine dedication, guests notice and appreciate it,” he said.
Tipping is generally not a traditional or obligatory practice across much of Southeast Asia, although gratuities are increasingly welcomed in tourist destinations, upscale hotels and private tour services.