Indonesia's revised penal code banning sex outside marriage is raising concerns in the tourism sector still recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo approved the revision earlier this week. It will apply to both citizens and foreigners in the country, including tourists.

There are worries that the law will scare away tourists and investors, even before it goes into effect in three years.

Violators will face up to a year in prison or fines. The code also prohibits unmarried couples from living together.

Some local authorities have been cracking down on sex outside marriage, such as raids on hotels.

The national government says under the code, local authorities won't be free to do so, meaning the code will actually be protecting everyone, including foreign tourists. Only the families of those involved will be able to alert authorities.

There are worries in the tourism industry in Bali that the code will take another bite out of visitor numbers.

Chairman of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agency Bali, I Putu Winastra, said, "Especially in European countries, many people live together without getting married and even have children. We must protect their privacy."

He is calling on the government to explain the code so people in other countries can fully understand it.