With more than 35 flights from Bali Airport canceled over the last three days due to the escalating conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, thousands of passengers remain stranded in Bali.
As both outbound and inbound flights are cancelled, the knock-on effect is now resulting in hotel cancellations.
Tourism is the biggest contributor to Bali’s economy. With more than 7 million international tourists set to visit the island in 2026, leaders in Bali are all too aware of how global conflicts and pandemics can impact local life.
With airspace over the Middle East closed over the last few days, millions of passengers have been stranded in different locations around the world. Dubai Airport, Abu Dhabi Airport, and Doha Airport canceled almost all flights, and with these three airports amongst the busiest transit hubs in the world, the impact was felt around the globe.
As support is now being offered to stranded passengers, tourism leaders in Bali are now looking at the impact of the conflict on inbound tourism traffic. Accommodation providers have already started to notice an increase in hotel booking cancellations, due to those who cannot travel due to flight cancellations and those who are now fearful of traveling during a period of heightened unrest.
Speaking to reporters, the Chairman of the Bali Villa Rental and Management Association (BVRMA), I Kadek Adnyana, confirmed that since the US-Israel and Iran War began, there has been an increase in reports of cancellations from members reaching around 30%.
He shared, “Currently, villa management and villa rentals are reporting cancellations of around 20 to 30 percent. The cancellations were triggered by the closure of flight routes in several countries due to the war. The impact was particularly felt in the European and Middle Eastern markets.”
The Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Bali, I Gusti Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya, explained that tourism business owners are starting to feel worried about the conflict that is playing out across the Middle East.
He explained, “This war has had a significant impact on our tourism in Bali. Furthermore, international flights have been delayed, especially to the Middle East.”
He noted that although tourists from the Middle East number comparatively fewer than Bali’s most frequent international arrivals, the region’s major transit hubs are affecting travelers from around the world.
Suryawijaya explained, ”Actually, there aren’t that many tourists visiting Bali from the Middle East. However, the disruption to global security has impacted everyone.”
Tourists planning to travel to Bali in the coming weeks are advised to read their travel insurance policy thoroughly and check with any accommodation, transport, and activity providers about their cancellation policies.
With the conflict expected to continue for at least a few more weeks, the situation regarding travel is constantly changing.
Tourists will have to keep a close eye on updates from their own government’s Foreign Offices regarding travel advice for citizens, alongside updates from the Indonesian Government regarding safety on the ground.
Here at The Bali Sun, we will continue to bring our readers up-to-the-minute travel news, reporting to you announcements from government agencies, Bali Airport, and other transport providers, as well as updates from tourism leaders in Bali.
Tourists who are in Bali right now are advised to continue to regularly check in with updates from Bali Airport and Bali Immigration, their airline, their travel insurance provider, as well as the Indonesian Government and their own government’s travel advice bureau to understand what, if any, changes to travel plans must be made as this situation continues to unfold.
If your visa is nearing expiry, it is important to contact Bali Immigration to understand whether a pre-emptive visa extension is the best course of action.
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