Bali Faces Rising Crime Amid Changing Tourist Demographics
Bali, Indonesia – As the number of tourists returning to Bali surges post-pandemic, concerns are mounting among locals about a parallel rise in crime and the shifting nature of visitors to the island. Long celebrated for its tranquility and cultural richness, Bali is now grappling with an upswing in criminal activity, prompting questions about whether the character of tourists is changing for the worse.
A Shift in Visitor Profile
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Bali has seen a notable influx of backpackers, digital nomads, and expatriates on lower budgets staying for extended periods. Local politician Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih highlighted that this demographic shift has coincided with an increase in illegal homestays, which accommodate these long-term visitors at cheaper rates. “The quality of tourists coming to Bali is decreasing,” Pratiksa Linggih remarked, noting that local infrastructure and services are struggling to keep pace with rapid growth.
Longtime Bali resident and bar owner Paul Werner concurred that the post-pandemic visitor profile has changed. According to Werner, who moved from Adelaide, Australia, to Bali a decade ago, “Crime generally follows where the tourists are going. It is mainly a lot of drunk westerners not knowing how to level out their alcohol and fighting over nothing.” He questioned whether crime was truly worsening or if the behavior of visitors, particularly Australians, had deteriorated.
High-Profile Incident Sparks Alarms
The island was shaken in June by the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Melbourne man Zivan Radmanovic outside his villa in Munggu. Balinese police have charged three Australians with murder, suggesting premeditation, though investigations are ongoing. The rarity of gun-related violence on the island has deepened local unease. “Shootings in Bali are unheard of,” said Melbourne resident Jan Laczynski, who lost friends in the 2002 Bali bombings. He expressed concern about the emergence of an underworld arms market, with incidents like this raising alarm about organised crime.
Rising Crime Statistics and Underlying Causes
Bali traditionally boasts one of the lowest crime rates globally. Official statistics from Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency recorded just three firearm-related crimes in Bali in 2023, and the country’s homicide rate is significantly below Australia’s. However, Bali police report a 16% increase in crimes involving foreigners—226 cases in 2024 compared to 194 in 2023. These offenses span cybercrime, narcotics, violent crimes, and land fraud.
Social justice advocate Piter Panjaitan cited specific examples of criminal activities impacting locals, including methamphetamine production, villa robberies, cryptocurrency scams, and ATM thefts—often linked to Russian and Eastern European groups. Panjaitan attributed these issues to Bali’s open-door tourism approach combined with economic challenges post-pandemic. He urged improvements, including stricter immigration controls, enhanced police training for tourist hotspots, and closer collaboration with international law enforcement agencies. “We need quality tourism, not just quantity,” he emphasized.
Concerns Over Organised Crime and Rapid Development
Criminology Professor Adrianus Meliala of the University of Indonesia warned that Bali’s changing demographics could fuel a rise in organised crime. “More foreigners are settling long-term, bringing conflicts and criminal elements from their home countries,” he explained. Bali’s proximity to Australia and affordability makes it an attractive operational base for illicit groups, while local law enforcement faces challenges keeping pace.
The island attracts approximately half a million tourists monthly, with digital nomads increasingly choosing Bali as a home base. The provincial government aims to welcome a record 6.5 million international visitors this year. Rapid development has transformed rural areas like Munggu village, where 400 new villas—many foreign-owned—have sprung up in 2025 alone, replacing agricultural land. Munggu village chief I Ketut Darta expressed concern over the swift changes and their potential impact on community safety. “There has never been a shooting here, even fights are rare,” Darta said. “We patrol our village 24 hours a day. Tourism is our lifeblood, and we must protect it.”
Looking Ahead
Bali stands at a crossroads as rising visitor numbers and evolving tourist profiles coincide with challenges in crime prevention and community safety. Calls for reform emphasize improving law enforcement capacities and favoring sustainable, quality tourism over rapid expansion. The island’s future reputation as a safe tourist paradise may largely depend on how these issues are addressed amid mounting pressures.
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