Until the end of March 2023, tourist visits Bali have reached 370,832 people. According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) records, tourists from Australia lead other countries to visit this island of gods. 89,783 tourists from Australia have visited Bali. Head of BPS Bali Endang Retno Sri Subiyandani explained that this figure had increased by 13.51 percent compared to the previous month, February 2023.
Meanwhile, tourist visits from other countries followed in second place, namely India, with a total of 28,167 tourist visits. In third place are tourists from Singapore, with a total visit of 21,003 people. Similarly, in fourth place are the British, with 20,775 people. And the fifth is Americans, with a total of 20,360 people.
Data on tourist visits to Bali until March 2023 has increased from the previous year. This is due to the improvement in Bali’s condition since the Covid-19 pandemic, which had closed the borderline for tourists.
Entrance for International Tourist Visits Bali
The arrival of foreign tourists to Bali through two international entrances, namely Ngurah Rai Airport and seaports. Bali has several seaports, including Benoa Harbor, Padangbai Harbor, and Celukan Bawang Port. The entry of tourists through sea ports was recorded at 3,742 people, which decreased by around 42.55 percent.
Meanwhile, we can see an increase in foreign tourist arrivals, where Singaporean tourists increased by 69.41 percent. Then, foreign tourists from the Middle East rose 41.68 percent to 3,185 visits.
Decreased Room Occupancy
It is ironic, amid an increase in foreign tourist arrivals, that the occupancy rate of hotel rooms or hotel occupancy in Bali in March 2023 decreased by 1.21 points to 40.01 percent. Tourists stay in star-rated hotels for an average of 2.417 days. Meanwhile, the average stay for non-star hotel guests is 2.30 days.
On the other hand, tourists from Russia are no longer included in the list of the top five tourists visiting Bali. This may be the impact of the war situation between Russia and Ukraine. Likewise, many tourists from this country commit acts against the law, and the Indonesian government has deported them. However, Russian tourists have dominated coming to Bali before.
Impact of Declining Arrivals of Russian and Ukrainian Tourists to Bali
The decline in the number of Russian and Ukrainian tourists to Bali has significantly impacted room occupancy in Bali. They generally like to stay at Canggu Hotels and Pererenan Hotels. Likewise, the length of stay of tourists from this country is quite long. Their average stay is one month or more. This certainly has a good impact on hotels in Canggu.
As with our hotel, The Tunjung Boutique Resort, Russian and Ukrainian guests loved staying at our hotel because our hotel is located in a safe and comfortable place, away from the crazy crowds and traffic jams in Canggu. Meanwhile, we offer affordable room rates so they stay home at our hotel. Currently, the room occupancy in our hotel has changed. Previously, many Russian tourists dominated the room occupancy in our hotel, but now they don’t dominate anymore.
This also has the same impact on hotels in Canggu and Pererenan. Almost all occupancy of hotel rooms, villas, and homestays from these two countries has declined.
The Discourse of the Governor of Bali Limiting Tourist Visits Bali by Giving Quotas
The Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, plans to limit tourist visits to Bali by giving quotas. This is closely related to the actions of tourists in Bali who have caused trouble. They have done things that violate the laws and customary rules in Bali. Some have done illegal business that is not following their residence permit.
The Bali government plans to limit tourists visiting Bali to avoid similar incidents. So, the government will filter which tourists can visit this island. Those visiting Bali must not cause trouble, respect local culture and not violate a residence permit.
Previously, the government gave freedom for tourists to come to Bali with a VOA (Visa on Arrival). However, many of them have abused the residence permit. Indonesian Immigration has deported 101 foreign tourists until March 2023. Most tourists are from Russia, and the rest are from other countries. In addition, many foreign tourists are currently in the process of criminal law because they have violated the law in Indonesia. However, the plan to limit tourists is still under discussion with the Bali provincial government. Of course, they will see both sides and the impact that will arise.