Is Bali Quiet This Christmas and New Year? Officials Address Tourism and Hotel Trends
Amid widespread reports on social media about an unusually quiet atmosphere in Bali during the Christmas and New Year holiday period, local officials have provided insights into the current tourism trends affecting the island. Bali Governor Wayan Koster and Indonesia’s Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana have responded to these observations, explaining the factors behind the changes in visitor numbers and hotel occupancy.
Domestic Tourism Declines Linked to Reduced Flight Availability
Governor Wayan Koster confirmed a noticeable decline in domestic tourist arrivals in Bali during this peak holiday season compared to last year. A primary cause cited is the reduction in domestic flight services to the island. According to Koster, airlines such as Garuda Indonesia and Citilink have temporarily decreased flights due to aircraft maintenance schedules.
Specifically, the number of domestic flights to Bali has dropped from 13 in 2024 to 11 in 2025, with total flight routes decreasing from 25 to 23. This limited seat availability has made it challenging for many prospective domestic travelers to reach Bali during the holiday period.
Adverse Weather Affecting Tourist Activities
In addition to flight constraints, weather patterns have contributed to the perception that Bali is quieter this holiday season. Governor Koster noted that increased rainfall across the island has resulted in fewer outdoor activities and less movement among tourists outside hotel premises. Compared to the same period last year, this year’s heavier rain has curtailed visits to beaches and other open-air attractions, factors that traditionally draw large holiday crowds.
Shifting Domestic Travel Preferences
Koster also highlighted a shift in domestic travel behavior, with many Indonesian tourists opting for destinations beyond Bali, notably elsewhere in Java. Improved infrastructure, including the development of fast toll roads in Java, has made nearby regions more accessible and attractive for holidaymakers. The governor emphasized that this change in traveler preferences, combined with reduced flights from major cities like Jakarta to Bali, has contributed to the dip in domestic tourist numbers.
International Tourism Showing Positive Growth
Despite the decline in domestic arrivals, Bali continues to see an upward trend in international tourism. Governor Koster reported that foreign visitor numbers during the Christmas and New Year period remain strong, with international arrivals reaching approximately 6.9 million as of 26 December 2025. This figure represents an increase from 6.3 million international tourists over the same period last year. With an average daily arrival rate of around 24,000 foreign tourists projected through the end of the year, Bali is expected to welcome a total of about 7 million international visitors in 2025. Overall Tourism Outlook and Hotel Occupancy
Governor Koster estimated that total tourist arrivals — combining both domestic and international visitors — may experience a slight decrease in 2025 compared to 2024, projecting a drop from 16.4 million to roughly 16.1 million arrivals. He noted an anticipated further decrease of around 200,000 tourists by the end of December. Regarding hotel occupancy, a minor decline of approximately 4% was observed, which Koster attributed partly to tourists choosing alternative accommodations outside the traditional hotel sector.
Airport Traffic Remains Robust
Contrasting the reports of a quiet Bali, officials at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport have recorded strong passenger and aircraft traffic during the holiday season. Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi, Head of Communication and Legal Division at the airport, reported that between 15 and 27 December 2025, the airport handled around 885,000 passengers—representing a 3.9% increase over the daily average for most of the year. Aircraft movements also rose by 12%, averaging 427 flights per day during this time.
Tourism Minister Confirms Continued Growth of International Visitors
Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana concurred with the governor’s assessment about the international tourism sector, affirming ongoing growth in foreign arrivals. She reported that foreign tourist numbers currently stand at approximately 6.8 million, with the target for the year set at 7 million visitors. The minister also acknowledged the trend of decreasing domestic tourists, attributing it to factors such as weather conditions and shifting preferences towards destinations like Central Java, East Java, and Yogyakarta.
Social Media Stories Reflect Domestic Tourists’ Mixed Experiences
While official statistics depict a stable international tourism scene, social media platforms show a surge of complaints from domestic tourists regarding their holiday experiences in Bali. Viral posts highlight incidents where visitors felt unwelcome or experienced service issues at popular sites such as Kuta Beach and Uluwatu. Reports include accounts of tourists being asked to leave certain areas or reposition themselves to accommodate foreign guests, which has led to dissatisfaction among some domestic holidaymakers. Although these claims are anecdotal and their accuracy remains unconfirmed, they signal a nuanced social sentiment that may influence future domestic travel choices.
In conclusion, Bali’s Christmas and New Year holiday period in 2025 presents a complex picture. Reduced domestic flights, unfavorable weather, and evolving travel habits have all played roles in the island’s quieter scenes as perceived by some visitors. However, the continued growth in international arrivals and strong airport traffic point to Bali maintaining its status as a prime global tourist destination, albeit with shifting dynamics between domestic and international tourism sectors.
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