Jakarta. Tourism in Bali is facing disruptions as escalating conflict in the Middle East affects international flight routes linking Europe and Southeast Asia, forcing the island’s tourism industry to shift its focus toward new markets such as China and India.

I Gusti Agung Rai Suryawijaya, deputy chairman of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), said visitors from the Middle East remain an important segment for Bali, particularly travelers from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, which operate direct flights to Ngurah Rai International Airport.

“Tourists from the UAE and Qatar who usually fly directly to Ngurah Rai International Airport represent a significant number of visitors. This situation will certainly affect Bali’s tourism sector and the broader economy,” Rai said on Saturday.

Air travel disruptions have intensified after airspace restrictions in parts of the Middle East. At least 15 international flights to and from Bali have reportedly been delayed or canceled as airlines reroute services to avoid the conflict zone.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster said that Bali is losing around 800 visitors from the Middle East since the US-Israel attack on Iran on Feb. 28.

Airports across the Middle East also serve as major transit hubs for European travelers heading to Bali. As a result, airspace closures in the region have interrupted travel flows from Europe to the Indonesian resort island.

Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that 500,121 foreign tourists visited Bali in January 2026.

Despite the flight disruptions, hotel occupancy rates across Bali have not declined sharply. PHRI said some tourists who were already on the island were unable to return home due to flight cancellations and were forced to extend their stays.

Government data indicates that in Badung Regency — Bali’s main tourism hub — about 52% of hotels reported occupancy rates between 41% and 69%, while 36% recorded occupancy between 70% and 80%.

In nearby Gianyar Regency, around 53.8% of hotels reported occupancy between 41% and 69%, while 23.1% recorded occupancy rates between 70% and 80%. A smaller portion of hotels even reported occupancy levels above 80%.

To maintain tourism stability, PHRI Bali and local authorities are coordinating with airlines and international travel agents to explore alternative flight routes to the island.

Shift Toward China and India

Amid the uncertainty caused by the Middle East conflict, Bali’s tourism industry is adjusting its strategy by targeting China and India as potential growth markets.

Alongside these two countries, Australia remains a crucial source of visitors and is expected to help offset potential declines in arrivals from Europe and the Middle East.

“Australia is our biggest tourism market. We will continue to maintain that market because Bali is almost like a second home for Australian travelers. Meanwhile, China and India are two markets with strong growth potential,” Rai said.

According to data published by the Tourism Ministry, foreign tourist arrivals across all entry points reached their highest level in August 2025, with China ranking third with 140,667 visits, behind Malaysia and Australia.

Tourism officials hope that strengthening promotional campaigns in Australia, China and India will help mitigate the impact of any decline in visitors from Europe and the Middle East.

However, Rai warned that if the conflict in the Middle East continues for an extended period, additional measures may be needed to ensure the safety and confidence of international tourists traveling to Bali.

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