Bali Tourism Shows Positive Trend Amidst Global Issues

RR.CO.ID, Bali - Bali’s tourism sector continues to show positive growth despite global challenges affecting international travel. Tourist arrivals increased following the long Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr holidays in 2026, with domestic visits rising by about 3.5 percent compared to the same period last year.

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana highlighted the trend during a working visit to Taman Safari Bali & Marine Safari. “Bali recently won the Best Destination 2026 award from Tripadvisor. This shows that Bali’s image remains strong. Indonesia, especially Bali, remains a safe and comfortable destination for tourists,” Widiyanti said in Bali on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, as quoted on the Ministry's official website.

Taman Safari Bali & Marine Safari was chosen for inspection as an iconic destination that integrates education and recreation. The park houses more than 9,000 animals from around 300 species and features attractions that support sustainable tourism.

During her visit, Minister Widiyanti inspected facilities, including toilets, souvenir shops, and health services, and spoke directly with tourists to gather feedback. She emphasized the importance of maintaining clean amenities, comfortable facilities, and optimal services to strengthen the competitiveness of national tourism destinations.

The minister noted that despite global geopolitical tensions, including cancellations from Middle Eastern airlines, arrivals to Bali still grew 3.5 percent, from 450,900 in 2025 to 466,700 in 2026. Hotel occupancy also showed positive performance, reaching 60 to 65 percent, up five percent from the previous year, according to the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI).

Director of Commercial and Business Development for the Taman Safari Indonesia Group, Hans Manansang, welcomed the minister’s attention to service quality. He said the park received around 4,000 visitors per day during the high season, mostly domestic tourists, while weekday visits averaged 1,500.

He acknowledged that global conditions had affected international arrivals but expressed optimism about recovery through stronger markets in Oceania, the Pacific, and Australia.

Bali Provincial Tourism Agency Head I Wayan Sumarajaya also praised the minister’s visit. He said the Nyepi and Eid holidays significantly boosted tourist arrivals, particularly among domestic travelers.

The provincial administration has maintained its target of 6.9 million tourist visits this year, hoping the positive trend will continue in the coming months despite the low season. “Domestic tourist visits increased significantly during this holiday. This is a positive sign for the sustainability of Bali’s tourism sector,” Wayan said. ***