Bali Experiences Decline in Domestic Tourists, Looks to Boost Foreign Visitor Numbers
December 30, 2025 — Bali, Indonesia’s famed resort island, is witnessing a dip in domestic tourist arrivals this year as local travelers increasingly opt for alternative travel destinations closer to home. Bali Governor I Wayan Koster attributed this trend primarily to a reduction in the availability of domestic flights to the island, which has limited options for travelers and contributed to the decline.
A Shift in Domestic Travel Patterns
Governor Koster revealed that the number of domestic tourists visiting Bali is expected to drop to approximately 9.2 million by December 31, down from 10.1 million last year. This projection is based on data showing that only around 9.1 million domestic arrivals were recorded through December 22. The governor explained that this decline is linked to a decrease in flights operated by Garuda Indonesia, the national flag carrier, and its low-cost subsidiary Citilink. At present, several aircraft from both airlines are undergoing scheduled maintenance, which has led to a contraction in their Bali service fleets. Specifically, Garuda Indonesia has trimmed its aircraft serving Bali from 11 to 9, while Citilink has reduced its fleet from 11 to 6 planes.
“This reduction in available flights is a key factor driving the drop in domestic tourists to Bali. Despite fewer flights, the available seats are fully booked, showing that demand remains strong, but access is constrained,” Koster stated, as reported by Antara news agency.
Further compounding the issue is the shift in the preferences of domestic travelers, many of whom come from Java. Improvements in infrastructure, such as new toll roads, have made alternative and nearby destinations more accessible and attractive. This has caused increased intra-island tourism within Java, drawing some travelers away from Bali.
Focus on Increasing International Visitors
In response to the decline in domestic tourist numbers, Bali’s administration is placing greater emphasis on attracting foreign visitors. Governor Koster shared optimistic projections that foreign arrivals to Bali would surpass last year’s figures, expecting an additional 700,000 international tourists by the end of the year.
As of December 26, inbound international tourism had increased by 600,000 visitors compared to the previous year, with total foreign arrivals anticipated to reach 7.05 million by year-end. “This growth in international tourists significantly contributes to Bali’s economic activity. Contrary to perceptions that Bali is quiet, the available data indicates the island remains quite busy,” Koster emphasized.
Observations from the Tourism Ministry
Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana also addressed the decline in domestic tourism, suggesting that factors such as negative reports on weather conditions have affected travel decisions. She clarified that the dip did not stem from any diminishment of Bali’s appeal but rather from public perceptions influenced by weather and the rising popularity of alternative destinations.
The minister noted a marked increase in tourism to places like Yogyakarta on Java, a sentiment echoed by the growing accessibility and infrastructure developments in other regions. Despite the slight decrease in domestic visitors to Bali—approximately 2 percent—Wardhana highlighted that the island remains hectic and vibrant with tourist activity.
Contrasting Trends in Indonesian Tourism
The decline in Bali’s domestic tourist numbers stands in contrast to Indonesia’s overall tourism trends, which have seen strong growth this year. By October 2025, domestic trips across the country had surged by 18.89 percent year-on-year to nearly 998 million, with projections to reach 1.21 billion trips by year-end. This increase surpasses pre-pandemic travel figures recorded in 2019. On the international front, foreign arrivals to Indonesia are forecast to continue their steady rise but will still fall short of returning to pre-pandemic peaks. An estimated 15.31 million foreign tourists are expected to visit Indonesia by the end of the year, improving on previous years since 2021 but remaining below the 16.1 million visitors in 2019. Looking Ahead
As Bali navigates these shifts in tourism dynamics, the island’s authorities are working to balance domestic and international visitor flows. With ongoing efforts to increase flight availability and enhance the island’s appeal, Bali aims to sustain its position as a premier tourist destination in Southeast Asia.
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