Despite travel warnings issued by several countries following political unrest and demonstrations in Indonesia during late August 2025, foreign tourist arrivals in Bali remain largely unaffected. In fact, domestic tourism has reportedly surged, with many Indonesians seeking tranquility and refuge on the island.
Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association in Bali, I Gusti Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya, stated that travel warnings are a normal occurrence but should be addressed wisely.
First, in terms of conditions, especially in Bali, which has become increasingly conducive. Second, as long as the situation does not disrupt tourist activities, visitors can still feel comfortable coming to Bali.
“Regarding the current situation in Indonesia, of course, representatives from other countries are simply advising caution, which is perfectly reasonable—especially given the number of demonstrations. However, as long as these do not compromise tourist safety, they have no significant impact on visits to Bali,” said Suryawijaya on Monday morning, September 1, 2025.
“I’ve seen it firsthand as I’ve traveled around—everything is running smoothly. Tourists can still continue their journeys to Ubud, Sanur, Karangasem, and other destinations. The distances are short and everything remains safe,” he added.
Surpassing 2024 Tourist Arrivals
Regarding the number of foreign tourist arrivals in Bali, Suryawijaya noted that as of the end of August 2025, the figures remain stable at around 17,000–18,000 people per day.
He is optimistic that this year’s target of 6.5 million international visitors will be achieved, surpassing the 6.4 million recorded in 2024. As for domestic tourists, he predicts the number will reach 10.5 million throughout 2025.
Suryawijaya believes Bali has already endured difficult times, such as the Bali bombings and the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still in the recovery phase. Therefore, he hopes that recent developments will not harm Bali’s tourism sector.
He emphasized that Bali and its people must maintain security, as 60% of the province’s economy depends heavily on tourism. Suryawijaya also hopes the government will continue to listen to public aspirations and promptly address various complaints to minimize potential social unrest.
“We hope the government continues to accommodate the public’s aspirations and responds swiftly to public dissatisfaction. Demonstrations are normal in any democratic country, as long as they are not anarchic and do not disrupt the comfort of tourists,” Suryawijaya concluded.
Sources: NusaBali, BisnisBali
Feat Image: via EPA