Average Spending Habits Of Bali Tourists Revealed

Share The Article

Over the last year leaders in Bali have been calling for the tourism sector to promote the island as a destination for high-spending and long-staying tourists.

Bali is known to be a destination that can be explored on a shoestring budget or with no expense spared, but what are the average spending habits of tourists right now?

Indonesia’s Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies Sandiaga Uno has attended the 2023 Archipelagic and Island States Forum Summit in Bali this week.

World leaders have discussed everything from marine protection to carbon sequestration and the future of sustainable tourism. 

Minster Uno has revealed that the average spend of foreign tourists to Bali is USD 1,500 per person per stay.

Minster Uno used the occasion to outline how meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibition (MICE) events are an impactful way to improve tourists’ interest in a destination such as Bali. 

@lydearlyy how much does it cost to take a trip to bali? not the most budget trip but i would say very value for money given the amount of things we experienced ☺️ all prices are in SGD and more cost breakdowns of trips in my page!!! #bali #costbreakdown #travel #fyp #moneytok #budgetbali #budgetbalitips #indonesia #fypsg ♬ I Think I Like When It Rains – WILLIS

He explained, “In this MICE event involving more than fifty countries and an estimated one thousand participants the impact could be very significant.”

He added that “this shows that the quality of spending by MICE tourists is high, so it can have a significant impact on the local economy.”

But what does this mean for tourists planning their trips to Bali? The average spend on vacation may add up to USD 1,500 but if Ministers want to promote more big events to attract foreign visits, what will they have to do to ensure interest continues to grow?

@atraveledit Save this for your next trip to Bali 🫶🏼 Dreamsea is located in Uluwatu – you truly can't beat the cliffside views and access to the famous Padang Padang Beach! 📍 Dreamsea Surf Camp, Uluwatu, Bali @Dreamsea #solotravel #travelbucketlist #bali #balihotels #uniquehotels #balirecommendations #uluwatu #uluwatuvilla #hotelsinbali #balitravel #besthotels #travelcontentcreator ♬ HEY HEY HEY LOVERRR – sophi

Tourists planning their visits to Bali can expect to see more specialist events and festivals on the calendar.

From cultural conferences to huge music events and specialist festivals like the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival for example. Leaders want to diversity the reasons why tourists may want to come to visit Bali. 

Bali’s neighboring island of Lombok is this weekend hosting the Moto GP. This event has attracted thousands of tourists to the island to watch the event live.

During their visit, spectators will also have the opportunity to explore Lombok, and the Gili Islands with many also making the boat crossing to Bali to make the most of their time in Indonesia. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wonderful Indonesia (@wonderfulindonesia)

Big music events with world-class artists are happening every week in Bali, especially at the island’s most well-known beach clubs.

The next big events season will be in December when artists like David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Fatboy Slim, and Rüfüs du Sol will all be performing live.

These headline artists are noted by many party lovers as one of the biggest reasons why they are heading to Bali this festive season. 

While leaders work to lay on more events and attractions for tourists in Bali, some regular visitors to the island are raising concerns about the rising costs of food, accommodation, and travel experiences.

Bali lovers have taken to social media to discuss whether the times are simply changing or if the cost of travel in Bali is rising above a manageable limit. 

One Australian tourist reached out to the Bali tourist advice page Bali Bogans. She asked, “Is Bali becoming expensive?” 

She explained “$60 [AUD] steaks, $4 coffees, $30 taxi ride from airport less than 4 kilometers, water parks costing $300 for family.”

The Bali tourist asked “It’s more expensive than anywhere in Asia. Have they become greedy or [are we] happily pushing up prices?”

While some may argue that Bali remains a destination to suit every budget, the cost of everything everywhere is undoubtedly rising. What we do know definitively is that the cost of travel to Bali is about to increase for everyone, no matter their spending allowance. 

On the 14th of February 2024, Bali will formally introduce the new tourism tax. The charge is applicable to every traveler entering Bali, including children, and the rate is set to be introduced at IDR 150,000.

The tourist tax has been explained by officials as a way to help preserve and promote Balinese culture and environmental conservation.