Christmas Holiday Brings Tourist Surge Back to Bali
Bali, December 26, 2025 – The Christmas and New Year holiday season has sparked a significant rebound in tourist arrivals to Bali, marking a positive turnaround for the island’s tourism sector after weeks of subdued activity influenced by adverse weather and travel concerns in other parts of Indonesia.
On Friday, the busy domestic arrivals terminal at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport was bustling with travelers from across the country, eager to spend the year-end holidays on the famed resort island. Many domestic tourists opted to arrive after Christmas Day, taking advantage of extended holiday breaks leading up to New Year’s Eve.
According to Wayan Pasek, a seasoned tourism industry worker in Bali, visitor numbers experienced a noticeable decline earlier in December but have recently begun climbing again. “Compared with last year, the numbers are lower, but the curve is rising again,” Wayan noted. “Since Christmas, it’s been getting busy. Traffic is starting to build up, roads are crowded, and the airport is clearly busy again.”
While domestic tourists constitute the majority of visitors currently, foreign tourists have started to make a more visible presence on the island. Peak arrivals are anticipated on December 31st, coinciding with major New Year celebrations.
Airport operator Angkasa Pura released data showing daily domestic passenger traffic averaging 30,543 people, comprising 16,779 arrivals and 13,764 departures. International passenger movements were even more substantial, reaching 40,203 passengers per day, including 23,808 arrivals and 16,395 departures.
This surge in arrivals has translated into increased activity on the streets, particularly in the iconic tourist district of Kuta. Congestion has returned along major roads such as Jalan Patih Jelantik and Jalan Raya Legian, with numerous private vehicles bearing license plates from outside Bali. In addition, foreign tourists riding rented motorbikes have been observed navigating through slow-moving traffic.
Late afternoons have seen traffic peak as visitors flock to Kuta Beach to enjoy the famed sunsets. Simultaneously, nightlife venues along Legian Road have started filling up earlier than usual, with queues forming outside clubs well before nightfall.
Holidaymaker Handoko, who traveled from Jakarta with his family, shared his experience: “We could only come now because the children just started their holidays. We plan to stay for six days before heading back to Jakarta ahead of New Year’s Eve.”
Tour guide Erna expressed optimism about the revival of Bali’s tourism. She attributed earlier slowdowns to poor weather conditions and public concerns about flooding in other Indonesian regions. “Now that the weather has improved and Christmas is here, tourists are coming back,” she said. “I hope this positive trend continues into the New Year.”
The return of vibrant crowds and growing visitor numbers signals encouraging prospects for Bali’s tourism industry as it navigates post-pandemic recovery and external challenges. As the New Year approaches, the island’s resorts, beaches, and entertainment hubs are gearing up to welcome even larger waves of tourists seeking to celebrate the festive season in one of the world’s most beloved holiday destinations.
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