New data confirms that 2024 is set to be Bali’s busiest year for tourism, surpassing all previous records. By mid-2024, international tourist arrivals had already exceeded the total for 2019, highlighting an unprecedented influx of visitors to the Island of the Gods. This surge includes a diverse mix of holidaymakers, digital nomads, expatriates, and international investors.
Record-Breaking Arrivals
Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency reports that Bali welcomed 7.75 million international visitors between January and July 2024. Pudji Ismartini, Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics, stated, “The number of foreign tourist visits until July 2024 is the highest since 2020.” The island saw a 20.75% increase in arrivals compared to the same period in 2023.
July 2024 was particularly notable, with 1.31 million international arrivals at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport—a 9.42% increase from June and a 16.91% rise compared to July 2023.
Who’s Visiting Bali?
Despite the surge in numbers, the profile of Bali’s visitors remains consistent. Malaysian, Australian, Chinese, and Singaporean tourists are the most frequent visitors. In July 2024, Bali saw 177,000 visitors from Malaysia, 166,000 from Australia, 126,000 from China, and 102,000 from Singapore.
Managing the Influx
With Bali’s airports—particularly I Gusti Ngurah Rai in Bali and Soekarno-Hatta in Jakarta—handling 90% of the country’s international traffic, there has been a concerted effort to ensure smooth operations. The latest data shows that the average tourist stay in Indonesia is 8.1 nights, with tourists from Southeast Asia staying the shortest (3.67 nights) and visitors from Africa staying the longest (15.74 nights).
Ahead of the Indonesia Africa Forum 2024, held from September 1-3, Minister for Law and Human Rights Supratman Andi Agtas visited Bali Airport to ensure that the influx of visitors is managed efficiently. He emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards in immigration services, urging staff to remain enthusiastic and continue delivering top-tier service as the airport experiences unprecedented traffic.
Final Thoughts
Bali’s record-breaking year is a testament to its enduring appeal and strategic efforts to attract a diverse range of visitors. As the island continues to draw in millions of tourists, the focus remains on managing this growth sustainably while maintaining the high standards that have made Bali a world-renowned destination.
