This Exclusive Bali Club Refused to Admit Locals. It Didn’t End Well.

Two Dutch men were barred from entering the country after discriminating against locals.The Indonesian island of Bali has become a haven for content creators and digital nomads. However, locals have grown increasingly frustrated with the attention the island has received in recent years. Now, another incident has shown why many say their concerns are justified.Entourage Bali, a social community that organized events across the island, promised to “bring together travellers, nomads, and expats through well-curated experiences.” There were two problems with this: The organizers were not authorized to host events without permits, and they allegedly systematically refused to accept locals into the community. Following complaints, immigration authorities banned the two Dutch nationals behind the organization, and the community has since ceased operations.Among other activities, the group organized “silent disco runs,” ticketed events featuring music played from the back of a vehicle to runners wearing headphones. One event in May showed a sea of people—with Indonesians not visibly present in the crowd—running through the streets of Bali wearing brightly colored headphones. The 5:30 a.m. run quickly went viral on the island, prompting locals to request access to the community. However, they were reportedly denied.Recent social media posts showed leaked chats between locals and organizers. Locals alleged they were refused access to the community, while expats and tourists were accepted. In one instance, an Indonesian woman shared that her request to join was still under review while her German husband was accepted. A common denominator, according to the posts, was that applicants were asked whether they were from Bali or Indonesia, and answering yes resulted in an instant rejection. Continue Reading Article After Our Video Recommended Fodor’s Video In one of the leaked chats, the organizer asked whether the individual was Indonesian. After they confirmed they were, the organizer allegedly told them that was the reason they were not accepted. “Because its an automatic system. And we are a platform for digital nomads.” The allegations sparked an uproar across the island. Residents and politicians alike criticized the idea of locals being excluded by foreigners in their own country. One comment on a video of the runners said, “In their own country, they loudly proclaim that foreigners must adapt to the local culture, norms, and values. Yet the moment they cross a border themselves, they behave exactly the way they criticize in others.”Since the allegations went viral, the club has ceased all activities and apologized in a social media post. The statement explained that some events were open to everyone, while others had participation requirements, such as women-only walks. It also said the run club was inclusive of everyone and that the July run included nearly 25% Indonesian participants. The organizers acknowledged that bias existed in their automated approval process and that some numbers registered in Indonesia were “incorrectly rejected.”Authorities have since taken action. The immigration department has banned the two Dutch men who ran the club from the country. JAS, 35, and HQV, 37, left Indonesia for Singapore before authorities announced the ban and will not be permitted to return.Immigration Director General Hendarsam Marantoko said in a statement that the Dutch nationals violated Indonesian law by organizing events without permits and that “there should not be a state within a state.” He added, “Foreign nationals cannot create their own rules or exclusivity within Indonesia’s jurisdiction.”Indonesian Sen. Ni Luh Djelantik, who has frequently spoken out against unruly foreign visitors, also addressed the controversy on Instagram. She said Bali is welcoming, but visitors should not disrespect the island. “One of the organizers has contacted me with an apology letter, but my decision remains the same: when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Therefore, I will instruct them to return to Indonesia and take responsibility for their actions.” Foreign visitors have developed a poor reputation on the holiday island in recent years. Some have been accused of disrespecting local culture, breaking the law, or overstaying their visas. Bali has stepped up efforts to deport tourists and expats, with immigration authorities deporting 342 foreign nationals during the first six months of this year. Officials have also made it clear that travelers on tourist visas are not permitted to engage in commercial activities, placing increased scrutiny on content creators.Australia advises its citizens to obtain the correct visa before visiting Bali. “It’s illegal to work, conduct research, volunteer, or post online content for revenue, payment, sponsorship or other commercial purposes on a tourist visa.” It also warns that authorities may consider it a breach of visa conditions if travelers create commercial content, even if it is published after they leave the countryRelated: How Not to Be a Jerk When You Visit Bali