Bali has recorded its highest number of international arrivals in history, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and signaling a strong recovery for Indonesia’s tourism sector. Governor Wayan Koster announced that more than 7 million foreign visitors entered Bali by air throughout 2025, marking a new milestone for the island’s tourism performance.
The statement was delivered during a meeting between the Bali Provincial Government and the United Kingdom’s Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia, Matthew Downing, at the Governor’s Office in Denpasar. According to Governor Koster, European travelers—particularly those from the UK—have played a significant role in this growth and are widely recognized for their disciplined behavior and respect for local regulations.
“British tourists are consistently among the top ten contributors to Bali’s visitor arrivals. European travelers, in general, are well-behaved, disciplined, and rarely cause issues,” Koster said on Friday (31/1/2026), as reported by Bali JPNN.
Nationally, Indonesia welcomed 13.9 million foreign tourists in 2024, with approximately 6.5 million—or nearly 64 percent—choosing Bali as their destination. This upward trend continued in 2025 and is projected to strengthen further in 2026, reinforcing Bali’s position as Indonesia’s primary international tourism hub.
While overall conditions remain under control, Governor Koster acknowledged that isolated violations by foreign visitors still occur, including traffic offenses and inappropriate conduct. However, he emphasized that firm enforcement measures implemented by the Bali Provincial Government, in coordination with immigration authorities, have proven effective.
“We have consistently taken firm action. Violations by foreign visitors are steadily declining. Based on available data, there are no significant violations involving British tourists,” Koster stated.
Authorities have relied on deportation and entry bans as deterrents, ensuring that local laws are upheld while maintaining Bali’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination. This approach aligns with broader efforts to promote responsible tourism and preserve social harmony on the island.
Despite the positive trends, Bali continues to face several structural challenges. Traffic congestion, waste management, and the behavior of irresponsible visitors remain key concerns. To address congestion, the provincial government has begun accelerating the development of inter-regional infrastructure aimed at improving mobility across the island.
Waste management has also become a top priority. The government is advancing an integrated system covering waste handling from upstream to downstream, including the construction of a waste-to-energy facility with a processing capacity of over 1,000 tons per day.
“My target is to resolve Bali’s waste issue within the next two years. By 2030, we expect to see significant improvements in traffic management and overall infrastructure,” Koster said.
The governor also expressed appreciation for the long-standing cooperation between Indonesia and the United Kingdom, voicing hope that collaboration will expand beyond tourism into other strategic sectors.
With record-breaking arrivals, declining violations, and accelerated infrastructure development, Bali is positioning itself for more sustainable and orderly tourism growth in the years ahead.
Source: Bali JPNN, Suratan Bali
Photo Credit: Humas Pemprov Bali