Bali Sees Record Growth in International Tourism Despite Domestic Setbacks

Published on December 29, 2025

As of December 2025, Bali’s domestic tourist arrivals are projected to fall from 10.1 million in 2024 to 9.2 million by the end of the year. The decrease is significant, especially considering the island’s popularity with domestic travelers, many of whom come from Java. Bali Governor I Wayan Koster attributed the drop in arrivals to a reduced number of domestic flights, which have made it harder for travelers to reach the island. According to Koster, several aircraft from national carrier Garuda Indonesia and its subsidiary Citilink are currently undergoing maintenance, resulting in fewer available flights to Bali.

The impact of these flight reductions is evident: although the flights that remain are fully booked, the decreased number of available seats has made travel to Bali more challenging for domestic tourists.

The Impact of Competing Destinations

While Bali continues to be a top destination, the rise of alternative locations in Java has contributed to the shift in domestic tourism patterns. ata from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport indicates that Garuda Indonesia has reduced its fleet servicing Bali from 11 to 9 aircraft, and Citilink has halved its fleet from 11 to 6 planes. This lack of availability has prompted domestic tourists to seek out other destinations, particularly those on Java Island, where newer infrastructure like improved toll roads makes travel easier and more efficient. Many tourists are choosing places like Yogyakarta, which has seen a noticeable increase in arrivals in recent months. With the accessibility improvements across Indonesia, it’s becoming easier for domestic tourists to explore new regions without the need to travel as far as Bali.

These alternative destinations are not only offering similar cultural experiences and natural beauty, but they are also benefiting from better-developed infrastructure. This shift in domestic tourism preferences highlights a growing trend of more localized travel within Indonesia, with tourists exploring different parts of the country.

A Silver Lining: Foreign Tourism Growth

While domestic tourism in Bali has been impacted, the island is experiencing a significant rise in international visitors. By December 2025, Bali welcomed 7.05 million foreign tourists, a 600,000 increase compared to the same period in 2024. Bali Governor Koster emphasized that despite the dip in domestic visitors, the island remains busy and economically active due to the influx of international tourists. This growth in foreign tourism is expected to bring substantial economic benefits to the region, especially for the hospitality and service sectors.

“The data shows that Bali is not quiet; in fact, it is quite busy,” Koster remarked. The increase in international arrivals is seen as a positive sign for Bali’s tourism industry, which has been striving to recover from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on global travel.

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that the decline in domestic tourism was not a sign of Bali’s diminished appeal, but rather due to external factors such as perceived unfavorable weather conditions and the rise of alternative tourism destinations. While there is a slight decrease in domestic tourism, Wardhana emphasized that Bali’s tourism sector remains resilient and continues to thrive with the support of international visitors.

Indonesia’s Record-Breaking Domestic Tourism

While Bali has faced challenges in retaining domestic tourists, the broader Indonesian tourism sector has experienced impressive growth. Domestic trips in Indonesia rose by nearly 19% in 2025, reaching 997.91 million trips as of October, and are projected to surpass 1.2 billion by the end of the year. This surge in domestic tourism reflects a nationwide trend of Indonesians traveling more within their own country, bolstered by improvements in infrastructure and increasing awareness of lesser-known destinations.

Despite the strong growth in domestic travel, foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia are still struggling to reach pre-pandemic levels. The country is projected to welcome 15.31 million international tourists by the end of 2025, which is an improvement compared to previous years but still falls short of the 16.1 million foreign visitors recorded in 2019.

Bali’s Strategy for the Future: Focus on International Tourism

As Bali works to regain its footing in the domestic market, the island is doubling down on its efforts to attract foreign visitors. Bali’s tourism industry has long relied on international tourists for a significant portion of its revenue, and the recent surge in foreign arrivals highlights the island’s ongoing appeal. The focus for 2026 and beyond will likely be on bolstering Bali’s position as a top international destination, offering unique experiences and world-class hospitality that will continue to draw global visitors.

Moreover, Bali’s tourism sector is set to benefit from continued investments in infrastructure, with ongoing improvements to the island’s roads, airports, and public services. These developments are expected to enhance the visitor experience and make Bali an even more attractive destination for travelers from around the world.

Looking Ahead: A Balancing Act for Bali’s Tourism Industry

The future of tourism in Bali depends on its capacity to accommodate and embrace new trends emerging in this industry. The key to this will be managing the rising demand for foreign tourism so as to welcome solutions which can handle the strain of mass tourism, and so as to cater to the demand of local tourism which seeks new and different holiday destinations across Indonesia, including Bali.