More Visitors Arriving in Bali, But They Are Staying for Shorter Periods
Bali’s tourism sector is currently experiencing a notable shift characterized by increasing numbers of visitors arriving on the island but simultaneously opting for shorter stays. This emerging trend, highlighted by recent data on hotel bookings and arrivals, reflects changing traveler behaviors amid ongoing global uncertainties.
Changing Booking Patterns
Traditionally, tourists planning visits to Bali would book their holidays well in advance, often six months prior to their trip. However, recent observations indicate that the average advance booking period has contracted to about three months. This shift suggests that travelers are adopting a more spontaneous approach to holiday planning rather than long-term scheduling.
Ferry Salanto, Head of Research at property consultancy Colliers Indonesia, explains that this change should not be interpreted as a temporary blip but rather a new dynamic shaping how travel decisions are made. The tendency toward shorter booking windows corresponds with the heightened unpredictability in global politics and economics, encouraging travelers to remain flexible.
Impacts on the Hotel Industry
The hotel sector in Bali faces unique challenges as a result of these shifting patterns. Although arrivals are rising, the shorter stays translate into fluctuating room occupancy rates and complicate pricing strategies.
Data from the Bali Provincial Central Statistics Agency (BPS Bali) reveals that in April 2025, foreign tourist visits reached 591,221, marking a 25.56% increase compared to the previous month. Australia remains the largest source market, accounting for nearly one-quarter of arrivals, followed by India, China, South Korea, and Malaysia.
Despite the rise in arrivals, occupancy rates for star-rated hotels in May 2025 stood at 58.10%, which, although slightly higher than the previous month, represents an 8 percentage point decline compared to May 2024. Non-star hotels showed a modest occupancy of 42.97%. Hoteliers cite factors such as higher airfares, global economic uncertainty, and government policies restricting official travel as contributing to these occupancy challenges.
Broader Context and Outlook
The evolving visitor profile is described as increasingly flexible and adaptive, navigating complexities such as geopolitical tensions and fluctuating transportation costs. These factors collectively influence not only how far in advance tourists book but also how long they choose to stay once they arrive.
Industry experts and local authorities maintain cautious optimism. The consistent growth in visitor arrivals illustrates Bali’s ongoing appeal as a premier tourist destination in Southeast Asia. However, stakeholders acknowledge that sustaining the recovery requires adapting to new travel behaviors and managing economic pressures.
As the global situation continues to evolve, Bali’s tourism sector will likely need to innovate in marketing, pricing, and service offerings to accommodate shorter, more spontaneous visits while striving to extend visitor stays and maximize economic benefits.
In summary, Bali is welcoming more tourists than before, but those visitors tend to plan closer to their travel dates and stay for shorter durations, a pattern that is reshaping the island’s tourism landscape amid broader global uncertainties.
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