Bali has just been named the number one tourism destination in the world in TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best Tourism Destinations in 2026.
As the travel sector celebrates this massive achievement, tourism leaders in Bali are issuing warnings about complacency.
It is no surprise that Bali has been named the number one travel destination in the world in 2026.
Having welcomed more than 7 million international tourists in 2025, including hundreds of thousands of people who return year on year to enjoy the island’s outstanding natural beauty, unique culture, and incredible hospitality, Bali really is in a league of its own.
The iconic island travel hotspot beat famous capital cities to the prize position, including London, Paris, Rome, and Bangkok.
However, as the island celebrates the win, local leaders are calling for the tourism sector not to rest on its laurels.
The Head of the Gerindra Faction of the Badung Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD), I Wayan Puspa Negara, told reporters this global recognition confirms Bali’s strength lies not only in its natural beauty, but also in its culture, spirituality, and the harmony of its communities.
He shared, “Natural beauty is only the gateway. Bali’s true strength lies in the soul of its people, their hospitality, spirit, and authentic Balinese essence.”
Nevertheless, Negara wants to ensure that the win serves as an opportunity to once again up its game, and not overlook the very real pressures that both the island as a whole, and the tourism sector face. The island is working through issues around waste management, traffic congestion, accessibility, tourist safety and comfort, as well as foreigners engaging in illegal activity.
He explained,” This award should serve as both a wake-up call and an opportunity for comprehensive overhaul, both in physical and non-physical development, including strengthening tourism services and public relations.”
In 2025, Bali welcomed an 11% increase in the number of international tourists, for a total of more than 7 million. The island is expected to see yet another increase in arrival figures in 2026, not due to the string of international awards that the province has received in the last 12 months.
Negara was keen to highlight how, as the island welcomes more tourists, the concentration of tourism development has to be spread more evenly throughout the province. He explained, “What’s happening isn’t overtourism, but rather overconcentration.
Destinations are congested in certain areas, while areas like Jembrana and North Bali haven’t yet experienced the significant impact of tourism.”
World’s #1 Destination
Bali takes the 2026 crown. But there is a catch. Tap to see the reality.
Best of the Best
TripAdvisor 2026
Tap for Stats ↻Global Champion
The Feat: Bali beat London, Paris, and Rome for the top spot.
The Numbers: 7 million+ visitors in 2025 (an 11% increase).
The Warning
“Do not get complacent”
Tap for Issues ↻Work to Do
The Message: “Natural beauty is only the gateway.”
The Issues: Traffic, waste management, and illegal activity need urgent fixing to maintain the title.
Overconcentration
Not “Overtourism”
Tap for Logic ↻Imbalanced Growth
The Reality: South Bali is packed, but North and West Bali are empty.
The Goal: Spread the wealth to Jembrana and Buleleng.
Go North & West
Where to go in 2026
Tap for Spots ↻Crowd-Free Gems
Where: Amed (East), Lovina (North), or West Bali National Park.
Why: Support sustainability and skip the traffic jams.
He concluded, “The world now views Bali with respect. It’s our duty to reciprocate with professional service, world-class facilities, security, and policies that support the preservation of nature and culture.”
Negara’s warnings have also been echoed by the Chairman of the Regional Leadership Council (DPW) of the Nawa Cita Pariwisata Indonesia (NCPI) Bali, Agus Maha Usadha, who told reporters, “This award is a mirror, not just a showcase. The world is looking at Bali, not only its beauty, but also how we manage growth, nature, and the future of its people.”
He added, “Bali must not become a victim of its own success. We must upgrade from a popular destination to one that is civilized, sustainable, and economically sovereign.”
Noting “World’s Best Destination 2026 is not the finish line, but rather a starting point for Bali and Indonesia to prove that cultural preservation, environmental protection, and economic progress can go hand in hand.”
Tourists planning visits to Bali in 2026 also have a role to play. By opting for lesser-visited areas of the island, such as Amed in East Bali, or Lovina Beach in North Bali, or even booking a stay in West Bali National Park, tourists can help support more sustainable tourism development in Bali, but most importantly, enjoy a crowd-free vacation!
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Eric
Friday 23rd of January 2026
If the government and leaders of Bali could organize a campaign on how to turn trash into tax free money for the locals. Meaning locals of all ages to collect and gather any seen trash from anywhere i.e. beaches, sides of the roads, gangs and rivers etc. and fill bags into kilos of trash and turn them into trash collection sites for money cash in hand. Equivalent to cash for plastic and aluminum recycling. Easily charge each tourist at arrivals just $1 USD (16,000 IDR) Clean Bali tax ( approximately 10 million USD dollars a year to provide the award funding. guarantee the per tourist will not squabble over $ 16,000 IDR to clean up Bali . It's a win for win solution .
Shorty
Monday 26th of January 2026
@Paul Morris,
Get out of the tourist areas and have a look. It is being used as it should, to benefit local people.
My village. Around 12km of gravel road connecting 5 villages, formed up, widened,and given blacktop. Subak canals formed up with masonry Listric 'gap' (including me) closed. Huge arial water tank with bores and pumps connected to village houses who had relied on bores, pumps and the vagaries. Banjar office extended, upgraded and connected to the internet. Repeaters placed for those in range to share. Funds for upkeep and extension of the Pura Dalem.
Similar things are probably happening in other Regencies and villages.
M
Monday 26th of January 2026
@Paul Morris, I guess not even he knows where it drained... there must be a hole 🤔
Paul Morris
Saturday 24th of January 2026
@Eric, They are already charging $15 supposedly to be used for projects like this and many other cultural projects yet there is very little evidence that any of this Bali tourism tax is going to what it is supposed to do. The governor should be giving updates on what is happening with this money 💰.
Shorty
Thursday 22nd of January 2026
Phat Phingers. ..that's far more....
Shorty
Thursday 22nd of January 2026
Can we stop crowing about these cornflakes box awards?
Many countries - France, Italy, Singapore, Thailand, Japan..... het fat more tourists than Bali's 7 million.
Steve bmi
Thursday 22nd of January 2026
It's not a big surprise and it is a big surprise hahaha
WAYAN BO
Thursday 22nd of January 2026
It’s obviously that TripAdvisor is doing canalization of crowd’s into wrong ways, nothing else's.