Christmas Holiday Brings a Surge of Tourists Back to Bali
Bali, December 26, 2025 — The island of Bali is witnessing a pronounced rebound in tourist arrivals during the Christmas and New Year holiday season, signaling a hopeful revival after recent weeks of subdued visitor activity. The earlier slowdown was attributed to adverse weather conditions and travel concerns affecting parts of Indonesia, but the festive period has brought renewed momentum and bustling crowds.
Renewed Activity at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport
On Friday, December 26, the domestic arrivals terminal at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport reflected the surge as numerous travelers from across Indonesia descended on the island to enjoy their year-end holidays. Many domestic tourists opted to travel after Christmas, capitalizing on extended time off leading up to the New Year, which has contributed to the upward trend in visitor numbers.
Wayan Pasek, a tourism industry worker based in Bali, acknowledged the recent dip in visitors earlier in December but observed a steady increase starting around Christmas day. “Compared with last year, the numbers are still lower, but the curve is clearly rising. Since Christmas, it’s become noticeably busy. Traffic is building up, roads are crowded, and the airport buzzes with activity again,” he remarked.
Pasek noted that while most of his clientele consists of domestic tourists, foreign visitors are also beginning to reappear in greater numbers. He expects peak arrivals to occur on December 31, as tourists prepare for New Year’s Eve festivities.
Passenger Traffic Statistics Highlight Uptick
Airport operator Angkasa Pura reported impressive passenger flow figures, with daily domestic passenger traffic reaching 30,543 people. This included 16,779 arrivals and 13,764 departures. International passenger movement was even higher, totaling 40,203 daily, with 23,808 arrivals and 16,395 departures, underscoring the growing return of foreign travelers.
Traffic and Crowds Return to Bali’s Iconic Tourist Districts
The influx of tourists is palpable on Bali’s streets, particularly in the famed Kuta district. Key thoroughfares such as Jalan Patih Jelantik and Jalan Raya Legian are experiencing traffic congestion reminiscent of previous peak seasons. Private vehicles with out-of-province license plates dominate the roads, while foreign tourists on rented motorbikes navigate through slow-moving traffic.
Congestion reaches its zenith in the late afternoon as visitors gather at Kuta Beach to witness the island’s renowned sunsets. Concurrently, nightlife venues along Legian are filling up earlier than usual, with club entrances seeing lengthy queues even before nightfall.
Handoko, a tourist from Jakarta, shared his family’s experience: “We chose to come to Bali after Christmas because of our work schedules. The children just started their holidays, so we took the opportunity to stay for six days before returning to Jakarta ahead of New Year’s Eve.”
Optimism Among Tourism Professionals
Tour guide Erna expressed optimism about the current upturn in visitors, suggesting it helps allay fears of a prolonged tourism slump in Bali. She attributed the earlier slowdown primarily to poor weather and public concerns over flooding in other regions of Indonesia.
“Now that the weather has improved and with Christmas here, tourists are coming back. I hope this positive momentum continues into the New Year,” Erna said.
As Bali moves forward into the New Year celebrations, the island’s tourism sector is hopeful that this resurgence in arrivals will persist, bringing economic benefits and renewed vitality to the world-famous holiday destination.
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