Leading markets for direct foreign tourist arrivals to Bali, by country 2024

As of March 2024, Australia was the largest feeder market for direct foreign tourist arrivals to Bali, Indonesia. Up to this period, Australian tourists made around 323,531 visits to Bali. Chinese tourists made up the second-largest group of arrivals to Bali, with 121,353 arrivals. Bali is arguably Indonesia's most popular tourist destination and saw a total of almost 6.3 million direct foreign tourist arrivals before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. 

The Balinese tourism sector is recovering

The decline in foreign tourist arrivals to Bali caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had essentially paralyzed the country’s tourism sector. The absence of tourists during the pandemic significantly impacted Bali's Gross Domestic Regional Product (GDRP) per capita. This highlighted the island's heavy reliance on tourism and the subsequent effect on the province’s overall economy caused by COVID-related restrictions on travel. However, Bali’s tourism has experienced a significant recovery since reopening its door to international travelers in January 2022.

A dynamic island with various economic facets

Despite Bali's reputation as a renowned tourist hotspot, its economy thrives beyond the realm of tourism. The majority of Balinese find employment in diverse sectors such as agriculture, wholesale trade, and manufacturing. Bali also actively engages in global trade, showcasing its natural and cultural wealth. In 2021, Bali's most prominent exports encompassed fish, shrimp, jewelry, and apparel, with a considerable portion reaching destinations like the United States. Conversely, the island's major imports consisted of electrical machinery and equipment, along with leather goods and jewelry, predominantly sourced from the United States.