bali sees slight drop in tourist arrivals, but visitor stays are growing
As October begins, new data has emerged about the number of tourists visiting Bali in the past month.
Each month, Indonesia’s Bali Central Statistics Agency releases updated data with a delay. The latest figures covering August provide some interesting insights.
In August 2024, Bali saw an increase in tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2023. However, there was a 1.44% drop compared to July 2024.
This slight decline is typical, as Bali’s peak tourist season runs from late June to mid-July. In total, 616,641 international visitors arrived in Bali during August 2024.
Further analysis reveals that the average length of stay in Bali has risen. Foreign and domestic tourists now stay for an average of 2.86 days, which is higher than in the previous year.
Though an average stay of just under three days may seem brief, it represents the preferences of over 600,000 visitors. Many tourists come for short getaways, particularly from nearby regions like Java, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Australian tourists remained Bali’s top international visitors, with 142,000 Australians traveling to the island for winter sunshine in August 2024. Interestingly, the largest increase came from Italian visitors, with numbers rising by 175% from July.
The Acting Head of the Bali Central Statistics Agency, Kadek Agus Wirawan, noted the sharp increase in Italian tourists, from 9,763 in July to 26,934 in August. Despite this, Italy did not make the top ten visitor countries for August. The top ten countries remained unchanged: Australia, India, China, the UK, the US, Singapore, South Korea, France, Malaysia, and Germany.
Bali continues to be the first and often only stop for international visitors to Indonesia. According to Wirawan, 45.7% of all foreign tourists entering Indonesia between January and August arrived through Bali.
This trend has benefited hotels in Bali, with occupancy rates rising. Tourists are increasingly choosing luxury accommodations. Five-star hotels had the highest occupancy rate at 76%, while two-star hotels saw the lowest rate at 58%.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s top international travel destinations were also revealed. Malaysians made up the largest group of travelers heading abroad, followed by Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, China, Cambodia, Australia, Japan, and South Korea.
As both domestic and international travelers become more mobile, Bali’s tourism leaders are urging visitors to explore less crowded areas of the island. The national tourism board, Wonderful Indonesia, has released a list of Bali’s best off-the-beaten-path destinations. Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno also launched the 3B Tour Package, promoting easier travel between East Java, West Bali, and North Bali for those seeking nature, culture, and convenience.
Next week, the Ministry of Tourism will launch a new Digital Tourism Information Centre. Known as TIC Digital Nusantara, this platform will help tourists plan their trips with ease.
Dwi Marhen Yono, Director of Tourism Marketing for the Archipelago, shared that TIC Digital Nusantara will provide complete and reliable travel information, making exploring Bali and finding Bali villas for rent even easier.