Strengthening Legal Protection for Tourists Through Administrative and Criminal Enforcement Against Unlicensed Travel Bureaus in Bali

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the implementation of administrative and criminal law enforcement against unlicensed travel bureaus and to examine legal protection mechanisms available for tourists in Bali Province. The research employs an empirical legal research method using statutory and factual approaches. Data were obtained through interviews with officials of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office and supported by relevant laws and regulations concerning tourism, electronic transactions, and consumer protection. The collected data were analyzed qualitatively and presented descriptively. The findings reveal that law enforcement against unlicensed travel bureaus has not been implemented optimally due to weaknesses in supervision and the absence of specific regulations governing online travel bureau licensing. Preventive legal protection is carried out through certification requirements, licensing supervision, and institutional monitoring, while repressive legal protection is provided through administrative sanctions, criminal prosecution, and dispute resolution mechanisms. Administrative measures may include the closure of business premises under Bali Provincial Regulation Number 1 of 2010. Furthermore, fraudulent activities committed by unlicensed travel bureaus may be subject to criminal sanctions under Article 28 paragraph (1) of Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning Electronic Information and Transactions and Article 378 of the Indonesian Criminal Code. The study concludes that strengthening administrative supervision and criminal law enforcement is essential to ensure legal certainty, consumer protection, and sustainable tourism development in Bali.