DENPASAR, Bali — Bali could also be welcoming fewer international guests this yr, however the island is accumulating more cash from tourism.
Based on Bali Governor Wayan Koster, international vacationer arrivals fell by round 7 p.c in Might 2026 in contrast with the identical interval final yr, following a 9 p.c decline in April.
The decline comes amid international uncertainty, together with disruptions to flight routes between Europe and Asia linked to tensions within the Center East.
But regardless of fewer guests, Bali’s Resort and Restaurant Tax (PHR) income continues to climb.
The provincial authorities recorded Rp2.89 trillion in PHR income between January 1 and Might 27, up from Rp2.62 trillion throughout the identical interval in 2025. By the top of Might, the determine is projected to achieve Rp2.9 trillion.
For Koster, the numbers reinforce a message he has more and more promoted: Bali ought to focus much less on customer quantity and extra on customer high quality.
“PHR income has elevated by round Rp300 billion,” Koster informed reporters on Monday.
The governor stated the figures recommend lots of the vacationers presently visiting Bali are spending extra, staying in licensed lodging, and contributing on to the formal economic system.
He went additional, suggesting that a few of the guests not coming to Bali might have been utilizing unlicensed lodging in earlier years.
“It’s potential that the 7 p.c who didn’t come had been beforehand staying in lodges that weren’t licensed,” Koster stated.
The comment comes as Bali authorities proceed efforts to crack down on unlicensed tourism companies working throughout the island.
Provincial officers have not too long ago met with a number of on-line journey companies (OTAs) to debate measures geared toward bettering compliance amongst lodges and villas listed on their platforms.
The difficulty has develop into a rising concern as Bali makes an attempt to steadiness tourism progress with regulation, tax assortment, and long-term sustainability.
For many years, success in Bali’s tourism business was measured largely by arrival numbers. However officers now seem more and more fascinated about what these guests contribute after they arrive.
The newest tax figures present ammunition for that argument.
Whereas customer numbers have softened, spending seems to stay sturdy, notably amongst vacationers utilizing registered lodges and eating places.
Nonetheless, challenges stay.
A lot of Bali’s tourism exercise—and the tax income it generates—continues to be concentrated within the island’s south.
Based on Achris Sarwani, a broader distribution of tourists throughout Bali would assist be sure that extra areas profit from the business’s financial features.
“We’d like extra even distribution in order that the advantages could be felt extra extensively,” Achris stated.
Whether or not Bali’s “high quality over amount” method could be sustained stays to be seen. However for now, the island’s newest figures recommend that fewer vacationers don’t essentially imply much less cash.
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