DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – The 2026 Lunar New Year long holiday has significantly increased passenger crossings from Sanur Port in Denpasar to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan in Klungkung Regency.
Daily passenger numbers have reached up to 6,000 people, compared to the normal range of 3,500 to 4,000 passengers on regular days.
Head of the Sanur Port Work Area under the Class II Benoa Port Authority (KSOP), Warsita, said the upward trend in traffic has been noticeable since Friday, February 6, and continued through its peak on February 17, 2026.
“Under normal conditions, daily passenger numbers range between 3,500 and 4,000 people. Currently, it has increased to between 4,000 and 6,000 passengers. For vessel departures, we have recorded around 80 to 88 calls,” he explained.
To accommodate the increased demand, additional boat departures have been scheduled. The surge is largely driven by domestic and international tourists choosing to spend the long holiday in popular island destinations such as Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan.
KSOP officials said strict supervision remains in place to ensure maritime safety standards are maintained amid the higher passenger flow.
The holiday momentum has also positively impacted the accommodation sector in Denpasar.
Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Denpasar Chapter, Ida Bagus Sidharta Putra, said hotel occupancy during the Lunar New Year period is estimated to reach 70 to 75 percent.
“The long holiday has a significant effect. We are seeing around a five percent increase in bookings compared to normal days,” he said.
He noted that hotel reservations for this year’s Lunar New Year period are dominated by domestic travelers from Jakarta, Surabaya, and other major cities. This pattern differs from the usual visitor composition in Sanur, which is typically dominated by international markets.
Throughout the year, Sanur’s visitor mix generally consists of approximately 40 percent European tourists and 40 percent Australian tourists, while domestic travelers usually account for only 10 to 15 percent.
However, during major holiday periods such as Lunar New Year or Eid, the domestic market share can rise to around 20 percent.
Online booking systems have also accelerated reservation patterns, with occupancy beginning to rise about a week before the holiday and peaking two to three days prior to Lunar New Year celebrations.