Reports describing Bali as unusually quiet during the Christmas and New Year holiday period have circulated widely on social media. In response, Bali Governor Wayan Koster and Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana have addressed the situation, citing changes in tourism patterns, weather conditions, and transportation capacity across Indonesia.
Koster: Domestic Tourism Declines as Flights Are Reduced
Governor Wayan Koster confirmed that the number of domestic tourists visiting Bali during the peak Christmas and New Year period has declined compared with last year. He identified reduced flight availability as one of the main contributing factors.
“The decrease in the number of domestic tourists visiting Bali is due to the decrease in the number of flights. Garuda Indonesia and Citilink aircraft are currently undergoing maintenance,” Koster said after inspecting the international terminal at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on Sunday (28 December 2025), as quoted by Detiknews.
According to Koster, the number of domestic flights serving Bali has fallen from 13 in 2024 to 11 in 2025. As a result, the total number of flight routes has also decreased from 25 to 23.
“That’s one of the factors causing the decline in domestic tourists visiting Bali,” said Koster, who is serving his second term as governor.
He added that limited seat availability has prevented some prospective visitors from travelling to the island during the holiday period.
Weather Conditions Affect Tourist Activity
In addition to reduced flights, Koster said weather conditions have affected tourism activity across the island. He acknowledged that Bali appeared less crowded than during the same period last year, largely due to heavier rainfall.
“This year’s rainfall is higher than last year, resulting in fewer tourist activities outside hotels. It’s not as busy as last year because the weather is less favourable,” he said.
The persistent rain has discouraged visitors from travelling to beaches and outdoor attractions, contributing to the perception that Bali is quiet during the peak holiday season.
Holiday Travel Shifts to Other Regions in Indonesia
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Koster also pointed to changes in domestic travel behaviour, with more Indonesian tourists choosing destinations outside Bali. He said improved infrastructure in Java has encouraged people to spend their holidays closer to home.
“Many people have shifted their vacations to other areas because Java now has fast toll roads. But I think it’s mainly due to the reduction in flights, especially from Jakarta to Bali,” he said.
According to the governor, this shift has affected domestic tourism numbers but does not necessarily indicate a broader decline in Bali’s tourism performance.
International Tourism Shows Upward Trend
Despite domestic visitor numbers, Koster said international tourism to Bali continues to increase. He stated that foreign arrivals during the Christmas and New Year period remain strong.
“For us in Bali, as a renowned international tourist destination, the most important thing is that the number of international tourists visiting Bali has increased by 700,000,” he said.
Data shows that international tourist arrivals reached 6.9 million as of 26 December 2025, compared with 6.3 million during the same period in 2024.
“With an average of 24,000 foreign tourist arrivals per day until 31 December 2025, a total of 7 million foreign tourists will arrive in Bali,” Koster said.
By contrast, domestic tourist arrivals were recorded at around 9.2 million in 2025, with a further decline expected by the end of the year.
Overall Tourism and Hotel Occupancy
Koster said total tourist arrivals, both domestic and international, are projected to decline slightly in 2025 compared with the previous year. He estimated that overall arrivals would fall from 16.4 million in 2024 to around 16.1 million in 2025.
“But this isn’t over yet. It’s estimated that by 31 December 2025, there will be another decline of 200,000 people,” he said.
He also addressed reports of falling hotel occupancy rates, noting a decline of around 4%. However, he attributed this to tourists opting for non-hotel accommodation.
“If you say Bali is quiet, the answer is no,” Koster said.
Airport Traffic Remains Strong
Officials at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport reported increased passenger and aircraft movements during the holiday period.
Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi, Head of the Communication and Legal Division at the airport, said 885,000 passengers were recorded during the 13-day Christmas and New Year transportation period from 15 to 27 December 2025.
“This is a 3.9% increase compared to the average daily passenger movement from January to November, which was 66,222 passengers per day,” Eka Sandi said.
Aircraft traffic reached 5,562 movements, averaging 427 flights per day, marking a 12% increase compared with the daily average throughout 2025.
Bali Tourism Look Quieter? Tourism Minister Confirms International Growth
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Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana also responded to claims that Bali is experiencing a tourism slowdown. She said data indicates continued growth in foreign visitor arrivals during the Christmas holidays and New Year.
“We have received data that shows that foreign tourists continue to increase. Currently, it is 6.8 million, but the target is to reach 7 million,” she said during a visit to Pondok Indah Mall on Friday (26 December 2025), as quoted from Okezone.
While international tourism remains stable, the minister acknowledged a shift in domestic travel patterns.
“Domestic tourists have indeed decreased slightly, perhaps due to frequent reports of unfavourable weather and other factors. So, they’re travelling to Java, mostly Central Java, East Java, and Yogyakarta,” she said.
Another Side Story That Shared on Social Media
Social media has been abuzz with netizens sharing unpleasant experiences while holidaying on the Island of the Gods. One viral post originated from a TikTok account that asked users to describe negative experience in Bali from fellow Balinese. The post has since attracted nearly a thousand comments, most of which are complaints from domestic tourists about the services they received.
One netizen recounted his experience at Kuta Beach, saying he was asked to leave the sand because he was considered to be disturbing the beach umbrella area, despite not using any chairs or paid facilities. Similar complaints were also shared by tourists visiting the Uluwatu area. One user said he had arrived early to secure a seat for a Kecak dance performance.
However, before the performance began, he was asked to move to make way for a foreign tourist. The request was reportedly delivered in a high-pitched tone, leaving him feeling disappointed. Whether these claims are accurate remains unclear. What is certain is that social media is currently filled with discussions suggesting that domestic tourists are increasingly choosing to visit Bali less frequently during the holiday season due to such experiences.
Cover Photo by Elina Sazonova_Pexels
