Bali tourism in numbers: 2025 results and where the island is heading

Tourism is the engine of Bali's economy. Hotels, restaurants, transport, crafts, agriculture and countless family businesses depend on visitors. Here are the latest official numbers and what they mean.

2025 in numbers

According to BPS (Statistics Indonesia) Bali Province, Bali recorded 6,948,754 direct foreign tourist arrivals in January–December 2025 — an increase of 9.72% compared with 2024. Domestic tourism was even larger: about 26.6 million domestic tourist trips to Bali in 2025.

Top source markets (foreign arrivals, 2025)

Source: BPS Bali, via ANTARA News (February 2026).

Australia remains by far the largest market, thanks to short flights and many direct routes. India has grown fast and is now second, ahead of China.

Trends shaping Bali's tourism

1. Quality over quantity

The provincial government talks increasingly about quality tourism: visitors who stay longer, spend in local businesses and respect culture. The tourist levy (Rp 150.000 for foreign visitors since February 2024) funds culture and environment programmes, and the governor's code of conduct sets clear expectations for visitor behaviour.

2. Spreading visitors beyond the south

Most hotels are still concentrated in Badung (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua). Traffic and overdevelopment there push both policy and travellers toward north Bali (Buleleng), east Bali (Karangasem — Amed, Sidemen, Lempuyang) and west Bali (Jembrana). Infrastructure ideas such as a north Bali airport, faster road links and urban rail have been discussed for years; timelines and plans change, so treat them as long-term possibilities rather than near-term facts.

3. Sustainability and waste

Single-use plastic restrictions (including the 2025 ban on producing bottled water under one litre), beach clean-ups, and protection of productive rice fields are becoming part of everyday business. Visitors increasingly choose operators with visible green practices.

4. Stricter licensing

Authorities are checking unlicensed villas, foreign-run businesses without proper permits, and tourists working illegally. For honest businesses this is good news: a level playing field.

5. Digital and experiential travel

Travellers book later and on their phones, pay cashless (QRIS is everywhere), and look for experiences — cooking classes, ceremonies with a local guide, jeep sunrise tours, diving — rather than only beaches.

What it means for visitors

• Expect busy south Bali in July–August and December–January; book drivers, tours and Nyepi-period trips early.
• Consider staying a few nights in Ubud, Amed or Sidemen to see a quieter Bali.
• Use licensed operators, pay the levy, and follow temple etiquette — it keeps Bali special.

What it means for investors and partners

Growth continues, but the winners will be legal, licensed businesses aligned with Balinese values. Read our guide to investing in Bali legally.

We update this article as new BPS data is released. Monthly figures: bali.bps.go.id.