As Bali braces for the bustling Christmas and New Year holidays, traffic congestion is a top concern for local tourism stakeholders and residents alike. In previous years, severe traffic jams marred the festive season, prompting calls for proactive measures this year.
The Bali chapter of the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI Bali) has proposed restricting vehicles with non-DK license plates—those registered outside Bali—during the holiday period.
“The restrictions should be enforced before the Christmas period,” Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, Chairman of GIPI Bali said on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Addressing Previous Traffic Issues
Tourism stakeholders believe such restrictions could mitigate the massive traffic congestion witnessed in prior years, particularly during peak periods. On December 29, 2023, for instance, the Bali Mandara Toll and the exit routes near Ngurah Rai Airport faced significant gridlocks.
“If possible, vehicles from outside Bali should be regulated, not just right before the holidays. In the past, around 10,000 vehicles arrived daily during this period—it must be controlled,” Adnyana added.
Hotel Bookings Expected to Approach 100% Capacity
Bali remains a top destination for the Christmas and New Year holidays.
The Bali Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI Bali) projects hotel bookings to reach near full capacity, with occupancy rates estimated between 95% and 100%. PHRI Bali represents approximately 400 hotels with a combined total of 160,000 rooms.
The surge in visitors is backed by record-breaking tourism data: The Bali Statistics Agency (BPS Bali) reported 5.3 million foreign visitors between January and October 2024, surpassing the total of 5.2 million foreign arrivals in 2023. The top countries of origin for international tourists include Australia, India, China, and the United States.
Domestic tourism has also shown steady growth. In 2023, 9.8 million domestic tourists visited Bali, up from 8 million in 2022.
Preparing for a Smooth Holiday Season
With both international and domestic tourist numbers climbing, Bali’s tourism stakeholders are urging authorities to act promptly to avoid a repeat of last year’s traffic chaos.
The proposed vehicle restrictions are part of broader efforts to ensure a seamless holiday experience for visitors and residents alike.
