Bali Airport Sees Record Passenger Arrivals, Fueling Growth in Local Tourism

Published on November 29, 2025

Bali I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport registered 20 million passengers in 2023, the latest evidence of the airport’s sustained growth and development. It is the second busiest airport in Indonesia and is vital in sustaining the island’s tourism growth. People come from all over the world to enjoy Bali’s beaches, temples, and diverse culture, and the island’s natural beauty.

Growing passenger traffic is a testament to Bali’s appeal. Bali is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in all of Southeast Asia. Its hospitable people, multi-faceted culture, and natural beauty make it a unique destination. Bali is increasingly popular and visitors to the island and the airport are increasing. 2023 has surpassed all previous years. The airport is increasingly busy and the facilities and services are increasingly put to the test.

Bali’s Popularity Among Global Tourists.

Bali has a heavy tourism rate for people looking for cultural immersion, a beach vacation, and/or adventure tourism. The island has a unique geography comprised of rice paddies, temples, beaches, and nightlife all in one island. Popular destinations in Bali include the Uluwatu Temple, Besakih Temple, the monkey forest, and the beach towns of Jimbaran Bay and Kuta. Seminyak, a popular nightlife beach area, also adds to Bali’s integration of culture and recreation in one island.

Visitors looking for alternative experiences also love the island. Activities from surfing, to diving, to yoga workshops and wellness retreats all all over Bali. Ubud is the cultural center and most spiritual and calm area of the island, consisting of an organic town center, art galleries, and various holistic/therapy healing centers. Kuta and Denpasar are the lively and urban towns for those looking for a faster paced vacation.

After the Pandemic, Bali’s tourism industry has been completely disrupted and is a hotspot for international travel, especially for Australia, and the rest of the world: China, Europe, and N America.

I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport: A Key Player in Bali’s Tourism Growth
I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is an essential aspect of Bali’s tourism ecosystem since it is Bali’s gateway. It offers international and domestic flights and services millions of travelers each year as it connects Bali to several important cities in Asia, Australia, and other continents.

It is important to Bali’s standing as a leading tourist destination for the airport to service an increasing volume of travelers.


Ngurah Rai International Airport has made important developments and improvements to its facilities in the past few years to accommodate the increasing amount of air travel to and from Bali. Recent airport improvements resulted in expanded terminal facilities and modernized amenities to help travelers in a more efficient manner when passing through the airport. Additional airport facilities such as more baggage claim areas, more boarding gates, check-in counter areas, and security screening areas were added to better process the increased number of arriving and departing travellers while increasing the overall efficiency of the airport concierge system.

Managing Increasing Passenger Traffic Volume in Peak Seasons.

Increasing tourists attractions in Bali also brings challenges in managing the volumes of people entering the destination airport. Specific calendared holiday events and public holidays’ travel periods of Christmas, New Year and longer summer holidays spike the number of people arriving in Bali leading to overcrowded airport traffic terminal, tarmac and air traffic.

Consequently, measures to alleviate the congestion and the traffic in the terminal and air traffic volumes and delays to improve efficiency in the handling of passengers and flights and information systems to ease the flow of passengers and transport systems linking to and from the airport to dominant destination tourist areas have been put in place.

Travelers are encouraged to arrive early at the airport, particularly during the high travel influx periods, to allow the additional congestion and delays in the terminal and to allow extra time for the follow of people to pass. Traveling tourists are encouraged to consider the extra time required for the check in, security, and boarding of the flights to the air travel busy periods.

Impact of Tourism Growth on Bali’s Local Economy

The Bali airport passenger data reflects the growing tourist attraction of the island, which, in turn, benefits the local economy. As for now, the main driver of Bali’s economy and its GDP components: hotels, restaurants, retail, and transport, is tourism. With the rising number of tourists, employment is also boosted in the economy’s travel, services, and construction industries.

A majority of the tourists spent their money on dining, accommodation, and transport services. Active spending on the economy’s tertiary and quaternary service sectors also spurs growth in the primary and secondary sectors, which, in the Bali economy, consists of agriculture and fishing, local crafts, and construction. Out of tourist magnets like Ubud, Seminyak, and Canggu, the developed strip of the island provides the most employment on the island. Hundreds of families support their living by profits generated in the small businesses developed to cater tourists. Micro economy boosting of each local family provides valuable GDP component with equitably spread local profits.

Governing body of the Bali economy, in recognition of the emphasis on tourism, has developed a strategy with significantly improved road and public construction amenities. As with any developed economies, the Bali economy is getting developed in a manner which, proportionally, reduces the island’s tourism to facilitate balanced construction and preservation of the island’s distinctive elements.

Impact of Tourism and Steps Toward Sustainable Tourism in Bali

As the number of tourists in Bali increases, so does the concern on impact of the tourism on the environment and sustainable tourism practices. Bali tourism is directly related on environmental concerns. This includes concerns of waste management, water use, and over exploitation of the natural environment.

Bali initiated steps on the promotion of sustainable tourism practices and environmental responsible travel. Bali local government in collaboration with NGOs and tourism concerns is working on Bali carbon furnscape, promotion of renewable energy, and eco tourism. Preservation of Bali beaches and forests, and reduction of the use of plastics on Bali initiatives are also prioritized.

As more tourists are exploring Bali, Bali sustainable tourism is receiving more focus and promotion on their eco friendly travel destination. Responsible travel demand is on the rise and to respond to environmental concerns, tourism in Bali is adapting.

Conclusion

An increase in passenger volume is an indicator of Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport’s continuing increase in financial profitability and its strategic importance Bali’s economic interface with global tourism as an in and out departure point. With advancing infrastructure and a continuing emphasis on sustainable eco-friendly tourism development Bali will continue to be one of the world’s global tourism hotspots.