The Indonesian province welcomed more than 6.3 million travellers in the past year
Bali’s provincial tourism authorities announced their target of 6.5 million foreign tourists for 2025.
2024 was a record-breaking year for Bali, as the province welcomed more than 6.3 million international travellers, making up half of Indonesia’s national total of 12 million.
The report was made to the media by Tjok Bagus Pemayun, head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, though this did not include figures for the last two days of 2024.
This is well beyond the conservative forecast of around 5.5 to 6 million international arrivals for the past year.
According to Pemayun: “The most important thing is not only that, what we expect is foreign tourists with longer stays, more spending money, and respect for local culture and society.”
Things to consider in 2025
For this year, the key focus for the Bali tourism sector is to promote both culturally respectful and sustainable tourism and encourage tourists to stay longer and spend more.
This is already happening, slowly and steadily the average length of stay in Bali by foreign tourists is increasing.
Since November 2024, the average length of stay for foreign guests at a starred hotel was 3.01 nights, up from 2.99 nights in October 2024.
The room occupancy rate among starred hotels was 59.69 percent in November 2024, slightly down compared to October, at 64.37 percent, but still higher than November 2023.
According to the Bali Central Statistics Agency’s acting head Kadek Agus Wirawan: “Australia remains Bali’s main tourism market, while the Chinese market has recovered significantly after being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
In November 2024 alone, foreign tourist visits to Bali reached 72,900 people, with Australian tourists contributing to 24 percent of all international arrivals, specifically 118,182 visits.
India followed with 9.76 percent with 46,150 visits, and China at 5.75 percent, or 27,183 visits.
Wirawan explained that Bali must continue to diversify the kinds of traveler demographics this year, along with tourist nationalities where the destination is promoted.
He remarked: “In addition to maintaining the Australian market and optimizing China’s potential, the government and tourism players need to strengthen promotions in other countries such as South Korea and India.”
Domestic travel will also play a huge role for Bali in 2025, though Java remains the most in-demand island for local tourists.