Bali Is A Top Choice For Australians On Family Vacations

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As travel trends ebb and flow, one thing never changes: Bali is one of the most highly sought-after bucket list destinations in the world.

New travel data shows that Bali is a top vacation destination choice for Australian families, but the province is starting to lose its appeal with the over-55s. 

In data analysed by Australia’s Travel Weekly, it is evident that Bali remains one of the top choices for family vacations in 2024. Bookings for flights to I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airpot from Australia’s biggest cities saw an increase from 31st August 2023 to 24th June 2024, for trips between 1st July and 31st August 2024, than the same period the year prior. 

@familytravellerasia Hey, Bali 👋🏼 visit the best spots that the island has to offer! 🏝️ #baliactivities #travelfamily #travelbali #balisquad #watersportsbali #travelwithkids #familytravel #livingthelifeofriley #balibeachclub #balitravel #balinese #indonesia #familytravellerasia ♬ Sunroof – Nicky Youre & dazy

With Australian tourists still the most frequent international holidaymakers to Bali, it is clear that recent headlines about badly behaved tourists and the increase in the average family vacation to the island due to visa costs and tourism taxes have not translated into a huge loss of bookings.

Data shows that Australian family bookings have increased by 71% this year alone!

There have been fears that some Australian tourists are seeking tropical beach vacations in other destinations around Southeast Asia, such as the Thai islands and coastal resorts in the south of the country.

While some Australian holidaymakers have sought out budget-friendly vacation deals to destinations other than Bali, the island’s most committed annual visitors have made a choice to return. 

@reisa_nurma ada yg mau nambahin rekomendasi destinasi holiday ke bali?? #bali #wisatabali #destinasibali #balikidsfriendly #holidaybali ♬ Cintanya Aku by Tiara Andini English version – user91236025343

Bali is an incredibly family-friendly vacation destination. Many of the island’s most popular beach resorts offer safe places for little ones to swim and play, and the hotels offer incredible kids’ club facilities, kids’ pools, and play areas to ensure that the vacation is enjoyable for all family members. 

Bali’s cultural attractions, like temples and rice terraces, are the perfect places to introduce little people to new ways of being, and there are always plenty of indoor and outdoor activity centers and attractions that have a strong family-friendly feel too.

Waterbom is, of course, the most well-known family-friendly waterpark in Bali, and cafes like Tiny Healthy Family Cafe in Berawa in Canggu operate with a child-first approach. 

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Interestingly, though, travel data shows that the over-55s travel demographic is starting to look elsewhere for a vacation.

However, many over 55s are actively seeking Bali out as a travel destination. Over 55s bookings make up just 22% of all Bali-bound flight bookings this year, a decrease of 37% compared to 2023. 

To look at even more staggering statistics, with Bali-bound flight bookings by Australians up 45% in 2024, the Island of the Gods is eclipsing its competitors.

Flight bookings were 158% higher than bookings to Fiji, a whopping 169% higher than flight bookings from Australia to Thailand’s Phuket, and an impressive 194% higher than bookings to the Thai island of Koh Samui. 

As Australian holidaymakers appear to be doubling down on their commitment to Bali as the best vacation destination in reach, leaders are looking to make things even more appealing.

Following over two years of criticism and backlash over the introduction of a fee for the visa on arrival and e-visa on arrival for tourists from over 97 countries arriving in Indonesia, leaders are considering scrapping the policy. 

For years, it was the case that tourists from Australia would be granted visa-free travel in Indonesia for up to 30 days on arrival. Since borders reopened after the pandemic, tourists from Australia and 96 other nations have had to pay IDR 500,000 for a 30-day visa on arrival.

Indonesia’s Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, has suggested that the fee could be scrapped for Indonesia’s twenty top tourist demographics, including Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, China, and India.