Bali is the flagship travel destination in Bali. While the island is in high demand from international tourists, domestic tourists are also in huge demand for travel on the island.
All travelers are currently being impacted by rising flight prices.
Indonesia’s Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, has spoken out about the rising price of domestic flight tickets to Bali.
This is an issue that impacts not only domestic tourists but international arrivals, as many tourists to Bali require a layover before touching down in Denpasar.
With rising domestic flight prices, tourists are less likely to take a layover in transit hubs like Jakarta or opt for ‘add-on’ destinations to their Bali vacation too.
Minister Uno told reporters that many domestic tourists are voicing concerns that internal flight tickets are just too expensive.
The Minister confirmed that he had reported this issue to President Joko Widodo to help create a solution that could involve adding more domestic flights in and out of Bali Airport.
Minister Uno said, “We heard that many people who go to Bali instead have to go abroad first. This is ironic at a time when our tourism is increasing. This is due to the lack of flights.”
The Tourism Chief explained that tourism providers in Labuan Bajo, the gateway to Komodo National Park, have also complained that plane ticket prices to tourist areas were too high.
They said the price of plane tickets from Jakarta to Japan was actually cheaper than those from Labuan Bajo.
It seems that Minister Uno and his teams are on a mission to increase the number of flights in and out of Bali for both domestic flights and international flights in both Bali and Labuan Bajo.
Speaking in late January, Minister Uno told reporters, “We hope there will [more] be direct flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, from ASEAN countries, which are the locomotives for many foreign tourists. Also from Australia.”
As Bali is working to achieve its busiest year since before the pandemic, it is important that the island is able to offer affordable and accessible flight options.
In 2024 Bali is aiming to welcome 7 million tourists and Indonesia overall is aiming to see 11.4 million international tourists before the year is out.
What is clear is that Indonesia wants to see Bali lovers explore more of the country. Minister Uno visited Australia in January to talk with travel operators that side and encourage the promotion of Bali ‘add-on’ destinations.
He wants to see tourists enjoying their annual vacation in Bali and becoming a little more adventurous. Yet, this can only happen if domestic flights are affordable and accessible.
Top add-on destinations that Minister Uno wants to see promoted include Labuan Bajo, Lake Toba, Mandalika, Likupang, and Borobudur.
However, tourism leaders in Bali feel slightly differently. With so much on offer for tourists in the south of Bali, tourist attractions and destinations in the north, east, and west of the island often get overlooked.
Destinations like Lovina, Amed, Medewi, Padang Bai, Menjangan, Bedugul, Munduk, and Sideman are all lesser-known travel spots in Bali that tick off every bucket list demand.
It’s easy to see why tourists love destinations like Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, and Ubud.
These are destinations that cater to every holidaymaker’s needs and wants.
Yet, for those eager to step a little off the beaten track, the rewards are huge.
Less-known destinations offer incredible value for money and the opportunity to connect with Balinese culture in an authentic and immersive way, transforming a cheeky little vacation in the sun into a profound travel adventure that inspires travelers to come back for more.
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Neil gill
Wednesday 13th of March 2024
I have been on this forum before, I know you keep raving about how many tourist are coming but I have spoken to many and they will not come back because of the price increases everywhere. I have lived here for many years and I went to Vietnam 3 times last year cheaper than going to Yogjakarta I also went to meet up with so many of my beach friend that are not coming back to Bali and a lot of these have been coming to Bali for twenty plus years. Evéytime a read it is about the price going up at a culture centre of some sort. I was in the Memong Delta last September and went to the most magnificent Buhda statues and temple for free as they are proud of them and want you to enjoy their culture not torn apart from every Tom, Dick and Harry with their hands out for money This new visitors tax should be to subsidies these area and have more people enjoying and talking about them nicely.... Not Jesus I went there and there was a charge for this and a charge for that,,, they are not coming back. You are producing one visit only tourist, not twenty year tourist like it was for years, the regulars are going elsewhere.... Please listen to someone that knows, not a pencil pusher sitting in his or hers lovely office that have never even seen your own so called ex tourist attractions.. Please please listen....
Mr Bear Snr
Monday 11th of March 2024
Bali to Selaparang(lombok)early 2000's, 150,000-200,000Rp each way. Merpati, hourly(sometimes), 08.30 to 17.30. Other airlines 2-3 times daily. Then came Praya Airport. The added expense of an extra 40 mins in a taxi to/from Sengiggi and down to 6 Bali flights daily. Praya was the demise of the smaller air services. After getting sick of all the local markets at Prayas front door and the taxi lottery we turned to the Padand Bai ferry with our Mio. 400,000Rp return Legian to Bangsal(Gili Air ferry)
Wayan Bo
Tuesday 12th of March 2024
@Mr Bear Snr, for such amount of money it’s possible to fly from Germany to Turkey, Spain and many other destination’s 🤣
Johnny
Sunday 10th of March 2024
All airlines are cashing in on airfares in and out out Bali. The Indonesian government should step in to reduce the cost if they want more Aussie travellers to visit!!!!
Wayan Bo
Sunday 10th of March 2024
No more € 5 one way tickets like by Ryanair in EU 🤣
Paul
Sunday 10th of March 2024
Bali now little to most experience tourists. It's now cheaper elsewhere in se Asia. Traffic is horrendous. The restaurants are no longer authentic. This leaves just the tourists after a resort holiday or a party. Hence the problems with bad behaviour.