BADUNG ~ The Badung Tourism Office is planning to finalize all villa registration by the end of 2007 to increase tax revenue targets an official said this week.

Head of the Tourism Facilities Section Wayan Lastri said that currently there are 529 villas in Badung, but only 45 percent, or 241 villas, were registered and paid taxes.

“Up to now, we have recorded 241 villas complying with the requirements set by the government,” she said.

She said the remaining 288 villas were in the middle of the licensing process that would be soon completed, and that some had already started to pay taxes.

“Villas contribute significant amounts in tax revenue. The regency has even raised the revenue target 20 percent higher than last year,” she said.

Previously, the tourism office recorded 711 unregistered villas throughout the regency. But that figures was lowered to 529 after some were found to be private homes and not commercial entities.

Villas that accept paying guests will be closed down if they do not register, the government has said.