Bali Tourism Surges with Record Arrivals Amid Rising Concerns Over Foreign Violations
Denpasar, Bali – Bali, Indonesia’s renowned tourism hub affectionately dubbed the “Island of the Gods,” is experiencing a robust rebound in international visitors, surpassing pre-pandemic levels with 6.3 million foreign tourist arrivals reported in 2024. This figure represents nearly half of Indonesia’s overall 13.9 million foreign tourist arrivals that year, underscoring Bali’s pivotal role as the country’s primary gateway for tourism.
Economic Impact and Tourism Revenue
The revitalized tourism sector has significantly bolstered Indonesia’s economy, with Bali contributing 44 percent of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings from tourism. Governor Wayan Koster confirmed that Bali’s foreign exchange revenue reached approximately Rp107 trillion (US$6.69 billion) in 2024. Nationally, according to Bank Indonesia’s Balance of Payments report, the total foreign exchange earnings from tourism amounted to US$16.71 billion (about Rp280 trillion) in the same year. Bali continues to serve as a leading indicator of Indonesia’s broader tourism industry health.
Increase in Foreigners’ Violations
Despite the remarkable tourism upswing, authorities have reported a troubling rise in violations committed by some foreign visitors. The Directorate General of Immigration recorded 378 deportations of foreign nationals from Bali between January and September 2024, an increase from 335 deportations in 2023. These cases, managed through Bali’s three immigration offices and the Denpasar Immigration Detention Center, included offenses such as visa overstays, misuse of tourist and investor visas, and involvement in transnational crimes.
Nationally, Indonesia saw 2,669 deportations and 2,009 detentions of foreigners from January to July 2025. Additionally, 62 foreign nationals faced legal proceedings between November 2024 and July 2025. Some foreigners also engaged in activities disrespecting local regulations and Balinese traditions, occasionally resulting in conflicts with residents.
Monitoring and Enforcement Measures
In response, Indonesian authorities have intensified discreet monitoring efforts to prevent suspects from evading detection before enforcement actions occur. Cross-sector cooperation is facilitated through the Foreigners Supervision Team (Tim Pora), which coordinates among agencies and monitors social media for viral reports of violations.
Notable operations include “Jagratara,” which apprehended over 2,200 foreigners in mid-2024, and “Bali Becik,” which arrested 103 suspects linked to international cybercrime syndicates. Other initiatives such as Operation Wira Waspada and dedicated task forces have been established to clamp down on illegal activities.
In August 2025, Immigration Minister Agus Andrianto launched a new Immigration Patrol Task Force in Bali. The unit, consisting of 100 immigration officers supported by military, police, and local traditional security (pecalang), patrols tourist areas equipped with body cameras and vehicles. The task force has authority to temporarily seize documents of suspected violators for further investigation.
Challenges in Foreigners’ Oversight
Despite these efforts, supervising the foreign visitor population faces significant hurdles. The proliferation of unlicensed accommodations complicates monitoring, as these facilities often fail to report foreign guests, resulting in tax losses and oversight challenges. The Bali Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) has called for stronger enforcement against illegal lodging operations.
Additionally, misconduct within enforcement agencies has undermined public trust. Recently, two immigration officers were arrested for colluding with foreign nationals to extort and assault another foreigner, involving kidnapping and deportation threats. Minister Andrianto announced plans to dismiss the officers and emphasized the importance of integrity among immigration personnel.
Efforts to Enhance Capacity and Collaboration
Authorities recognize that beyond strict supervision, capacity building and ethical training for immigration officers are crucial. Improving officers’ skills and rewarding high-performing staff remain priorities to sustain effective enforcement and public confidence.
Balancing the easing of entry restrictions, which fuels tourism growth, with stringent visa issuance, enhanced interagency cooperation, and the strategic use of technology is essential for sustainable management of foreign visitors not just in Bali but across Indonesia.
Bali’s thriving tourism industry continues to be a key driver of Indonesia’s economic recovery post-pandemic, even as government agencies and local stakeholders grapple with the complexities of managing an increasingly dynamic and diverse foreign visitor population.
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