Koster Claims Increase in Bali Visits, Denies Rumours of the Island of the Gods Being Empty

Bali Governor Wayan Koster has claimed that the number of domestic tourists (wisdom) arriving in Bali during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr long holiday increased by up to 36 per cent. The claim is based on passenger data at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport compared to the same period in 2025.

“Domestic and international tourist arrivals in March 2026 increased compared to 2025,” said Koster to detikBali on Wednesday (1/4/2026).

In 2025, the number of domestic tourists was recorded at 251,075 people. This figure rose to 343,986 people in 2026, an increase of 36 per cent.

“Facts show that it is completely untrue the news on social media that Bali is empty, that Bali has been abandoned by tourists and so on,” Koster explained.

In addition to domestic tourists, Koster mentioned that the number of foreign tourists arriving in Bali during the Eid holiday period also experienced an increase. In 2025, it was recorded at 490,326 people, while in 2026 it rose to 504,115 people.

Koster added that the data does not yet include tourist visits entering through other gates such as ports. He believes the increase in visits is quite significant, especially given the high volume of movement at Gilimanuk Port.

“Those coming by land are not counted because they must be separated between people intending to holiday, trade, or other purposes,” he said.