The 29th of January 2025 will mark the beginning of the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year. The festival will be observed until 8th February, with some celebrations continuing through to 12th February.
Chinese Indonesians are the fourth largest community in the Chinese diaspora, and the Lunar New Year is a big deal across the country, including in Bali.
Bali is preparing to welcome a huge influx of domestic and international tourists in the next week to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Both Bali and Yogyakarta in Java have been identified as being in top demand by travelers this Chinese New Year, and extra flights have been prepared to ensure that everyone can get to where they want and need to be for the big occasion.
The General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, spoke to reporters about preparations for inbound passengers for Chinese New Year this week.
He shared that while extra measures are in place to support passengers, compared to the Christmas and New Year holidays just a few weeks ago, the number of expected travelers is a little lower.
He explained, “There must be special preparations. Now we focus on facilities, in other words, we maintain existing facilities. We also add segways in the field to monitor airport capacity and operations.”
Garuda Indonesia, the country’s national airline carrier, has recorded its highest number of flight bookings in 2025 to date over the Lunar New Year festival period. Demand for flights to and from Bali and in and out of Yogyakarta has seen the sharpest rise, with increases also observed for Medan and Surabaya.
The President Director of Garuda Indonesia, Wamildan Tsani Panjaitan, told reporters, “For international routes with the highest occupancy rates are Singapore and Jeddah for this long weekend period.”
Over the Lunar New Year festival, Garuda Indonesia Group, which includes Citilink, will serve at least 1.2 million passengers. Panjaitan noted, “Garuda Indonesia projects an average flight occupancy of 54,000 passengers per day, an increase of around 25% compared to the previous period, which recorded an occupancy rate of 41,000 passengers per day.”
Bali Airport is anticipated to be able to cope with the higher volumes of passenger traffic, though tourists should be prepared for some queues and potential traffic congestion around the airport, too.
Shahab and his teams are working to implement long-term solutions to the issue of traffic congestion on the roads leading to Bali Airport, including the development of a new water taxi system, though this will not be launched until after the Chinese New Year celebrations.
He told reporters, “Water taxis at the airport still have a long way to go. What is clear is that it is a connected program between the Coordinating Ministry, so the discussion is still waiting for checks from the sea and others.”
Bali’s top attractions are expected to feel extra busy these next few days and into the weekend. Attractions like the Bali Botanical Garden have added extra ticket counters to help keep tourists flowing through the attraction easily and enjoyably. Tanah Lot Temple, which is one of Bali’s most famous temples, is also preparing for an increase in the number of visitors.
Special events will be held in Nusa Dua to celebrate Chinese New Year, concluding a range of cultural performances that will be shown throughout the week.
Group Head Operation and Service The Nusa Dua, I Putu Trisna Wijaya told reporters “We hope that these events can be a magnet for local and foreign tourists who are visiting The Nusa Dua area. We also collaborate with the area’s tenants to present memorable moments for visitors in celebrating this special day.”
Discounts will be available for the Kecak and Barong Dance performers held in The Nusa Dua through to the 31st of January.
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