Deported Bali visitor prompts travel warning for Australians

DENPASAR, Indonesia — A U.S. tourist, Jennelle Gordon, 44, was deported from Bali on Sept. 16 after authorities alleged she violated her visa by hosting a paid 'Intimacy Mastery Retreat' at a Seminyak villa, an activity officials say is not allowed under a Visa on Arrival.

Gordon arrived on Sept. 4 on a visa-on-arrival that was valid until Oct. 4 and was arrested at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport as she prepared to depart for Jakarta, according to immigration officials. She was accused of charging nearly $7,000 for a five-day course conducted at the private villa, with investigators saying the event violated the conditions of her VOA by hosting a commercial activity while in Indonesia.

Locals had reported suspicious activities at the villa, and officers alleged they found sex toys on the premises as part of the investigation into the events described as the 'Intimacy Mastery Retreat.' Authorities said the activities described went beyond a private gathering and constituted a commercial event under Gordon’s visa status. Officials emphasized that a Visa on Arrival prohibits hosting commercial events or arranging paid courses while in the country.

Ngurah Rai Immigration Office head Winarko said, "Hosting commercial events is strictly prohibited under this visa category. Every foreign national in Indonesia is required to comply with immigration regulations and respect the country's legal norms. We will take firm action against anyone who abuses their stay permit in Indonesia." He added that Gordon had arrived on a VOA and that authorities would enforce the rules without exception.

Gordon has denied the accusations, telling Daily Mail she was in Indonesia for a holiday and that she was the target of a witch hunt. She has claimed she did not run a business in the country, insisted she did not profit from the event, and argued that she was contributing to the local economy by hiring a villa for a private gathering that she described as spiritual in nature. She said the retreat involved eight people, including her partner, and that no formal business activities were conducted beyond a celebratory event tied to a birthday and a book release by her business partner.

The deportation comes as Bali confronts a rise in immigration violations and other criminal activity involving foreigners, driven in part by tourism pressure on the island. In recent weeks, the Indonesian government announced the formation of a special task force within the Immigration and Correctional Services Ministry to monitor unruly visitors and to better protect local communities from offenses attributed to some foreign nationals.

Travel advisers and industry observers have cautioned that foreigners in Bali should educate themselves on local customs, laws, and visa restrictions to avoid running afoul of authorities. S.W. Black Travel chief Shane Black, a Sydney-based travel adviser quoted in coverage of the case, said many Australians have misunderstood sensitivities in Bali and that the Balinese have exercised patience for years. He warned that there are cultural boundaries that visitors must respect and that the consequences of violations can be severe, including deportation and extended revocation of entry permissions.

The government’s crackdown underscores a broader concern about how foreign visitors use Indonesia’s permit systems and the impact of over-tourism on local communities. Officials stressed that the measures are designed to safeguard public safety and preserve Bali’s cultural norms. As authorities continue to investigate the incident and review visa practices, travelers to Indonesia are reminded to verify visa requirements, obtain proper licenses for any organized events, and adhere to the conditions attached to their permits. Authorities have pledged to maintain vigilance against activities that violate visa terms or local laws, noting that enforcement will be carried out consistently across the archipelago.