Bali Struggles With Domestic Tourism Dip, But International Tourism Reaches New Heights With Bali Leading The Charge For Record Global Arrivals

Published on December 30, 2025

Bali’s domestic tourism has faced a slight downturn in 2025, largely due to a reduction in available flights, as key airlines undergo maintenance. However, this dip is overshadowed by a remarkable surge in international arrivals, with the island continuing to attract global visitors in record numbers. Despite the challenges on the domestic front, Bali’s international appeal remains strong, contributing significantly to Indonesia’s thriving tourism sector.

Bali, one of Indonesia’s most iconic tourist destinations, has experienced a noticeable decline in domestic tourism in 2025. The drop is primarily attributed to a significant reduction in the number of domestic flights serving the island. Several aircraft operated by Garuda Indonesia, the national flag carrier, and its subsidiary Citilink, are currently undergoing maintenance, resulting in fewer flights available for travelers.

As the year draws to a close, the number of domestic visitors to Bali is expected to fall from 10.1 million in 2024 to 9.2 million by December 31, 2025. This marks a noticeable decrease, with only 9.1 million domestic tourists arriving in Bali by December 22. The scarcity of available flights has been a key factor in this decline, as Bali’s travel demand continues to outpace the number of seats on domestic flights.

The Bali provincial administration’s data, compiled from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, reveals that Garuda Indonesia has reduced its fleet serving Bali from 11 to just 9 planes. Additionally, Citilink has halved its fleet from 11 aircraft to only 6. This reduction in fleet capacity has led to an increased demand for the remaining flights, causing them to become fully booked and making it difficult for domestic travelers to find available seats.

Bali’s position as a prime domestic destination has also been impacted by competition from other regional destinations. Tourists from Java, the most populous island in Indonesia, have increasingly sought out alternative destinations that are closer and more accessible, thanks to better infrastructure such as toll roads. These new routes are making it easier for travelers to explore other parts of the country, further contributing to the decline in Bali’s domestic visitor numbers.

Despite these challenges, Bali remains a strong contender for international tourism. Local officials are turning their attention to attracting more foreign visitors, as international arrivals are expected to rise by 700,000 by year-end. In fact, foreign tourist numbers have already increased by 600,000 as of December 26, 2025, bringing the total number of foreign visitors to 7.05 million by the end of the year. This influx of international tourists is expected to stimulate local economic activity, countering any concerns about Bali’s tourism downturn.

Bali’s tourism landscape remains relatively busy, and contrary to the narrative of a quiet island, data suggests that the destination continues to thrive. Bali’s tourism officials are optimistic about the continuing flow of international travelers, with inbound tourism expected to surpass previous years’ numbers, even as domestic tourism faces temporary challenges.

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana has also highlighted that the drop in domestic tourism is not necessarily an indication of Bali’s decreasing appeal. Instead, the perception of unfavorable weather conditions and the rise of alternative travel destinations have led domestic tourists to reconsider their travel choices. Wardhana pointed out that destinations in Java, such as Yogyakarta, have seen a surge in arrivals, as they offer a mix of cultural, historical, and natural attractions.

However, it’s important to note that the decrease in domestic tourism to Bali is relatively modest. The drop stands at just 2%, and it is not significant enough to overshadow the continued popularity of Bali as a tourist hotspot. Bali’s cultural richness, world-class resorts, and vibrant beach scenes continue to draw travelers from around the world.

This decline in domestic tourism in Bali comes amidst a broader surge in Indonesia’s tourism sector. Domestic travel across the country has reached a new high in 2025, with domestic trips soaring by nearly 19% compared to 2024, bringing the total to 997.91 million trips as of October 2025. This number is expected to surpass 1.21 billion trips by the end of the year, easily exceeding the pre-pandemic travel level of 722 million trips recorded in 2019.

Despite this, foreign arrivals to Indonesia are not expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels just yet. Foreign tourist arrivals are projected to reach 15.31 million by the end of 2025, still below the 16.1 million visitors seen in 2019 before the pandemic. However, the steady increase in foreign arrivals since 2021 indicates that Indonesia’s tourism industry is on the right track, with significant recovery expected in the coming years.

While Bali is experiencing a slight dip in domestic tourism, the island continues to attract large numbers of international visitors. The focus for Bali’s tourism industry is now shifting to meeting the demands of international travelers and ensuring that the island remains a top choice for global tourists. With an impressive growth in inbound tourism and ongoing efforts to improve local infrastructure, Bali is poised to recover and continue to thrive in the international tourism market.