Governor Koster Assures Bali Remains Safe for Tourists Despite Travel Warning

Denpasar, Kompas.com - Bali Governor Wayan Koster has assured that Bali remains safe for tourists to visit. This statement addresses the numerous criminal cases involving foreign nationals (WNA), including kidnappings and loss of life. Koster also stated that he does not take issue with travel warnings from other countries, as conditions will improve in due course. Previously, the South Korean Embassy in Indonesia issued a security warning for its citizens in Bali, highlighting the surge in criminal cases targeting international tourists (wisman). On the same occasion, Wayan Koster refuted claims that Bali’s tourism is becoming quieter. Tourist arrival data, he added, indicates a different situation. “If it’s said that Bali is empty, with people fleeing, the data shows otherwise,” Koster said during the 31st Plenary Session of the Bali Provincial DPRD for the Second Session Period of the 2025-2026 Sitting Year at the Bali Provincial DPRD office on Monday (6/4/2026). He explained that based on tourist arrival data via air routes, specifically at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, domestic tourist (wisnus) arrivals from January 2026 to March 2026 totalled 963,313 people. Meanwhile, the number of international tourist (wisman) arrivals in the same period was 1.64 million (1,645,169) people. “This is via air; if by land, there are even more. If there are those spreading various issues on social media, this is the data,” Koster stated. “Reaching them is easy. Regarding tourist visits, domestic tourists want to come to Bali because the cultural activities provide great entertainment, the cuisine is complete, and accommodations are available from middle-up (upper middle) to middle-down (lower middle),” explained Dewa Made. Regarding travel warnings, he urged not to worry. “Looking at the list of countries sending tourists to Indonesia, South Korea is sixth. Even China is higher. Don’t worry, (Bali) is still safe,” he added.