DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – Tourism stakeholders in Bali are increasingly looking toward Asian markets to maintain visitor stability, as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect travel patterns from Europe and the Middle East.
Ketut Ardhana, Advisor to the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) Bali, said on Monday (April 13, 2026) that ongoing global conflicts, including tensions involving Iran and the United States, have contributed to rising transportation costs, impacting long-haul travel demand.
“Tourists from Europe and the Middle East can still travel via alternative routes, but transportation costs have become more expensive,” he explained.
According to Ardhana, this situation highlights the need for Bali to diversify its tourism markets rather than relying heavily on Europe, the United States, and the Middle East. He emphasized that Asia and Australia remain strong and reliable sources of visitors.
Australia continues to be Bali’s most stable market, with travelers from the country showing resilience despite global uncertainties.
Meanwhile, key Asian markets such as Japan, China, and India have historically contributed significantly to international arrivals. These countries have previously ranked among the top three sources of visitors to Bali.
South Korea has also shown consistent growth in recent years. Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) indicates that in 2025, Australian visitors led with 1.63 million arrivals (23.44 percent), followed by India with 569,261 visitors, China with 537,375, and South Korea with 346,679.
“The ASEAN market that I handle has not been disrupted. Both individual travelers and group tours continue to arrive. India is also consistent and has strong growth potential,” Ardhana added.
However, he noted that further growth in the Indian market depends heavily on the availability of direct flights. Strengthened connectivity could position India as a major contributor, potentially surpassing China in the future.
China’s visitor profile has shifted significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously driven by large-scale charter flights carrying hundreds of passengers at lower costs, the market is now dominated by independent travelers and family groups due to reduced charter operations.
“In the past, Chinese tourists arrived via charter flights, making travel more affordable, with groups of 400 to 800 people. After the pandemic, charter flights declined, and now the market is dominated by free independent travelers and families,” he said.
Ardhana also encouraged tourism businesses, particularly travel agencies, to actively promote Bali in ASEAN and Asia-Pacific markets without waiting for global conditions to stabilize.
Other markets with strong potential include Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Japan, in particular, is considered a high-value market that has yet to fully recover, despite the availability of direct flights and relatively short travel times of around six to seven hours.