TRIBUN-BALI reports that Bali Governor Wayan Koster projects international tourist arrivals to Bali will reach between 7.1 million and 7.2 million in 2026.
This figure is expected to surpass the 7.04 million total recorded in 2025.
Koster shared this optimistic projection while opening the 15th Regional Conference (Musda XV) of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) Bali, held at the InterContinental Bali Hotel in Jimbaran on Friday, 16 October 2026.
Koster said this upward trend in international arrivals was supported by figures recorded through the end of September 2026, which showed a significant year-on-year increase.
”From January to 30 September 2026, the number of international tourist arrivals reached 5.2 million. This represents a year-on-year increase compared to the same period in 2025. Based on current data, I estimate that by the end of this year, international arrivals will exceed the 2025 total, reaching 7,050,000 visitors. We are looking at approximately 7.1 million to 7.2 million arrivals,” Koster told the ASITA Assembly.
Speaking on the same occasion, Koster highlighted the significant role Bali’s tourism sector plays in the economy at both the regional and national levels. Tourism accounts for approximately 66 percent of Bali’s economy and generates nearly 45 percent of all foreign tourist visits to Indonesia.
With average tourist spending averaging US$122 per day, the foreign exchange generated by Bali’s tourism sector is estimated to hit Rp 176 trillion, contributing around 55 percent of Indonesia’s total tourism-related foreign exchange earnings.
This substantial figure, says Koster, warrants greater attention from the central government. “This small island makes a massive contribution to Indonesia’s tourism foreign exchange earnings. I consistently highlight and communicate this to ensure the existence of a national policy framework that acknowledges and takes into account the scale of Bali’s contribution to the tourism sector,” stated Koster.
He added that Bali’s tourism strength lies in its culture and traditions.
Consequently, business operators are urged not to pursue financial gain in isolation, but also to help preserve the region’s cultural roots.
”We must be grateful that small Bali is blessed with exceptional customs, traditions, and culture. These attributes give Bali its powerful appeal, earning it the love and admiration of people worldwide. Therefore, we must understand how to build, safeguard, and nurture Bali’s tourism,” the Governor explained.
Beyond the growth in foreign tourist numbers, Koster emphasized the importance of creating an orderly and fair tourism business ecosystem.
The Bali Provincial Government is closely watching the proliferation of unlicensed tourism accommodations and facilities marketed via online travel agent (OTA) platforms, as these pose a potential threat to compliant business operators.
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