While Bali faced a notable decline in international tourist arrivals in October 2024, a surprising trend emerged: an increase in visitors from India. Despite the overall slowdown, Indian tourists showcased resilience, defying the downward trend observed among visitors from other regions.
The Bali Province Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that the island welcomed 559,911 international visitors in October, reflecting a 5.72% drop from September’s 593,909 arrivals. However, India stood out as the only country showing growth during this period.
Bali’s top five international tourist markets—Australia, India, China, France, and the United Kingdom—remained unchanged from prior months. However, most recorded declines in arrivals.
Australia, the largest contributor, saw 141,395 tourists, a drop of 4.55% compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, arrivals from China fell sharply by 17.94%, totaling 33,645 visitors. France reported a decrease of 3.97%, bringing 28,018 arrivals, while the United Kingdom saw a 4.56% decline with 26,498 visitors.
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“Tourist arrivals from Asia declined the most in October 2024, with a decrease of 10,436 visits. We also recorded reductions from Europe, Oceania, ASEAN, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East,” explained Acting Head of BPS Bali, Kadek Agus Wirawan, during a press briefing in Denpasar on Monday, December 2, 2024.
In contrast to this trend, Indian tourists showcased an impressive 7.71% increase in arrivals. Bali welcomed 43,537 visitors from India in October, up from 40,422 the previous month.
Cultural connections and the availability of vegan cuisine have been key attractions for Indian travelers. According to recommendations from the Indian Consulate-General in Bali, Indian tourists also favor adventurous activities such as ATV riding, hiking, and water-based recreation.
“Indian tourists are drawn to Bali not just for its cultural and culinary similarities but also for its diverse activities and attractions,” noted Kadek.
Bali’s status as a premier destination for honeymoons and weddings has further bolstered its appeal among India’s affluent middle class. This trend was highlighted during Sandiaga Uno’s tenure as Indonesia’s Tourism Minister.
Despite the challenges in October, Bali’s year-to-date international arrivals showed positive growth. From January to October 2024, the island recorded 5,309,360 visitors, accounting for 45.90% of all foreign arrivals to Indonesia.
This figure surpasses pre-pandemic levels, as the same period in 2019 saw 5.2 million international visitors. “Cumulative arrivals from January to October 2024 increased by 20.98% compared to the same period in 2023, which recorded 4.3 million visitors,” Kadek emphasized during the release of the monthly statistics report.
While Bali’s October numbers reflected a dip, the growth in Indian tourists provided a bright spot in an otherwise subdued period. As tourism stakeholders analyze the trends, efforts to attract and cater to niche markets like India may prove vital in sustaining and boosting Bali’s global appeal.
