Bali Sees Significant Increase in International Travel in January 2025

Recent travel statistics from Bali’s Ngurah Rai Immigration Office indicate a marked growth in international arrivals at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. In January 2025, the number of travelers arriving in Bali surged by 22% compared to the same month in 2024, signaling a rebounding tourism sector for the island.

Surge in Arrivals and Departures

According to Alexander Maxwell, the Head of Immigration Information and Communication Technology at Ngurah Rai, a total of 611,603 people arrived at Bali Airport in January 2025, while 632,833 people departed. This slight imbalance, with departures typically outpacing arrivals, is attributed to tourists returning home after the holiday season, including Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Maxwell emphasized that foreign tourists significantly contributed to this increase, with a total of 540,122 international arrivals, reflecting a robust 27% year-on-year increase. Domestic travelers also made a notable impact, with 53,490 Indonesian citizens arriving in Bali—up by 30% compared to the previous year. Additionally, flight crews accounted for 17,991 arrivals, marking a 20% increase from January 2024. ## Popular Origins of Visitors

The top sources of international tourists remain consistent with previous travel trends. Australia leads with 139,577 visitors, followed by China (61,984), India (36,514), South Korea (35,172), and Russia (26,794). Other notable entrants to the list include Malaysia (21,771), the UK (20,569), the USA (18,627), Singapore (15,942), and Japan (12,112), rounding out the top ten countries of origin.

Economic Impact and Future Considerations

Bali’s rapidly growing tourist numbers have also played a significant role in the broader Indonesian economy. Wayan Koster, the Governor of Bali, announced that the province contributed IDR 107 trillion, equivalent to 44% of foreign exchange earnings for the national tourism sector in 2024. In a statement this week, Koster underscored the importance of tourism, which accounts for 66% of Bali’s provincial income, while stressing the need to diversify the economic base to achieve a more balanced economic structure.

Despite the growth in international tourism, Koster expressed concern over the sluggish recovery of domestic tourism. In 2024, Bali welcomed only 9.4 million domestic tourists, a stark contrast to the 6.6 million international arrivals. This is a significant drop compared to pre-pandemic figures, where domestic tourism often exceeded 10.5 million annually.

Koster revealed insights into the slow recovery of the domestic market, attributing it to a combination of factors including the national economy’s sluggish rebound and rising domestic flight costs. "It is not possible for Indonesian people to fly to Bali for tourism," he remarked, highlighting a barrier that could deter potential domestic travelers and affect overall tourism dynamics.

Concerns over Domestic Flight Costs

The rising costs of domestic flights pose a significant challenge not just for Indonesian nationals, but also for international tourists hoping to explore more of Indonesia beyond Bali. Tourism leaders on the island are concerned that high flight costs may undermine efforts to attract a broader spectrum of visitors to the archipelago.

As Indonesia aims to promote its diverse offerings, the costliness of inter-island travel could deter holidaymakers who are looking to derive the greatest value from their travel experiences.

In conclusion, while Bali’s tourism sector is witnessing robust growth among international visitors, stakeholders are mindful of the need for continued efforts to stimulate domestic travel and ensure flight accessibility remains affordable for all.