Demand For Bali’s Neighbouring Destination Soaring In Popularity With Tourists Right Now

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As Bali stays on track to welcome over 6.5 million international tourists in 2025, seasoned Bali lovers are starting to look to neighboring destinations to shake up their usual vacation routine.

Labuan Bajo, most famous for being the gateway to Indonesia’s Komodo National Park, is just a short flight from Bali and is seeing a huge surge in demand right now. 

Tourists looking to experience a little more of what Indonesia has to offer on their next Bali vacation would be wise to explore what Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park have to offer. Labuan Bajo is one of the Indonesian Tourism Ministry’s five super-priority destinations.

Alongside Mandalika in Lombok, Lake Toba in North Sumatra, and Likupang in North Sulawesi, Labuan Bajo is being promoted as one of the five new Bali-style destinations in Indonesia. 

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According to data from the online travel platform Agoda, searches for travel in Labuan Bajo have increased by over 107% in the last 12 months. The surge in demand is being attributed, in part, to the increasingly easy and affordable access to direct flights to Labuan Bajo.

After the opening of a direct flight route from Kuala Lumpur to Labuan Bajo in September 2024, flights from Singapore were officially opened in March 2025. This makes direct international air routes just as easy and affordable as domestic flights, making it easier than ever for tourists to explore all of what Labuan Bajo has to offer without breaking the bank. 

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Speaking to reporters Gede Gunawan, Senior Country Director of Agoda for Indonesia, shared “This development is very encouraging. The increasing interest of international tourists in Labuan Bajo shows the world’s recognition of the attractiveness of this destination, especially as one of the Super Priority Tourist Destinations.”

Gunawan revealed that demand for travel to Labuan Bajo is soaring with tourists from Malaysia, Singapore, China, South Korea, and Australia. All five of these travel demographics consistently rank as the most frequent international arrivals to Bali. 

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Labuan Bajo is most famous as the gateway to Komodo National Park, home to the world’s only population of the Komodo Dragon. However, it is not only the national park landscape that attracts tourists. Labuan Bajo has a wealth of natural and cultural wonders to explore, including Wae Rebo Traditional Village.

Located in a remote mountainous area of East Nusa Tenggara, the indigenous village is famous for maintaining its traditional way of life for more than 19 generations. Tourists can explore the community’s traditional homes, take part in traditional ceremonies, try local food, and even stay overnight for a truly immersive experience. 

With both domestic and international flights arriving at Komodo International Airport in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, daily, tourists now have more options than ever to access this incredible landscape.

One unique way to experience Labuan Bajo is to explore the area on a live-aboard boat. This experience is particularly popular with divers, free divers, and snorkelers who want to explore the incredible marine life around the islands. 

Gunawan told reporters “No matter how travelers choose to get there, we hope their journey will be easier and more comfortable. But equally important is ensuring that this growth is in line with the sustainability of the destination.”

For tourists and travelers planning an upcoming trip to Indonesia, it is entirely possible to combine a vacation in Bali with a visit to Labuan Bajo.

One easy 14-night itinerary option would be to spend a week in Bali, fly to Labuan Bajo for four nights to explore the area’s travel highlights, including the iconic Pink Beach, and then fly back to Bali for two more nights to prepare for homeward journeys.