Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia are creating unexpected ripple effects in Southeast Asia’s tourism industry and Bali is right in the spotlight. With more than 30 lives lost and over 100,000 civilians evacuated due to the armed conflict that broke out on July 24, 2025, many international travelers are now reconsidering their plans to visit Thailand. This shift is turning into an opportunity for Bali to attract more foreign tourists.
Thailand has long been Bali’s strongest competitor as a favorite destination among international travelers. But safety and comfort are now front of mind for many tourists. According to Perry Markus, Secretary of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Bali, this shift in sentiment could bring a wave of travelers to the Island of the Gods.
“Tourists tend to choose destinations that feel safe and comfortable, and that puts Bali in a strong position,” Markus explained.
But this opportunity doesn’t come automatically. Perry emphasized that Bali must respond quickly by boosting tourism promotion, improving services, and offering more engaging attractions to turn this momentum into real gains.
Recent data from Bali’s Central Statistics Agency (BPS) backs the island’s strong tourism performance. As of May 2025, hotel occupancy rates reached 58 percent. On average, both domestic and international travelers are staying 2.61 nights on the island.
Meanwhile, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport recorded 11.4 million passenger movements in the first half of 2025 alone, including 7.2 million international passengers. The airport also ranked as the second busiest in Indonesia in 2024, with 142,000 aircraft movements.
The influx of foreign visitors hasn’t gone unnoticed by local tourism leaders. I Gusti Agung Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya, Vice Chairman of PHRI Bali and Chairman of PHRI Badung, acknowledged that Bali is receiving spillover from Thailand’s disrupted travel scene.
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“It’s true there’s an impact on foreign tourist arrivals in Bali. Because Bali is seen as a more stable destination, we are definitely getting tourists who originally planned to go to Thailand,” he said on Sunday afternoon, July 27.
However, Agung Ray, as he is familiarly known, also expressed concern over the reason behind the tourism boost. While the additional visitors are welcome, he hopes Bali’s appeal will grow not because of conflict elsewhere, but because tourists genuinely want to experience the island’s beauty.
He also voiced his sympathy for those affected by the Thailand-Cambodia conflict, stressing that war should be avoidable, especially among nations in the Southeast Asian region.
