As the Christmas and New Year holiday season approaches, Bali is set to welcome a surge of international and domestic tourists. This festive period is expected to significantly boost hotel occupancy rates, particularly in Denpasar.
The Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) for Denpasar, Ida Bagus Gede Sidharta Putra, revealed that current hotel occupancy in Denpasar has reached 55% of the available rooms.
“We hope hotel occupancy during Christmas and New Year holiday can reach 80% to 90%, or even fully booked at 100%,” said Sidharta, as quoted by detikBali on Tuesday (December 10, 2024).
Peak Holiday Travel Predicted Mid-December
Sidharta predicts hotel bookings will peak between December 18 and 20, 2024, before declining in early to mid-January 2025. He explained that market segmentation influences these trends, with different preferences between areas like Sanur and Denpasar.
“Each accommodation targets a specific market. Sanur is different from Denpasar,” he noted.
Sanur primarily attracts Australian tourists who tend to stay longer, up to 10 days or two weeks. In contrast, Denpasar hotels mainly cater to European and domestic tourists with shorter stays, as reported by detiknews.com.
Hotels in Denpasar have prepared special programs to celebrate Christmas and New Year, including entertainment events and creative digital promotions.
“They are finalizing programs, including digital marketing campaigns, as the festive season draws near. This is a crucial period for the hospitality and tourism sectors,” Sidharta added.
He also urged the community and tourists to ensure a peaceful and safe environment in Bali during the holidays.
Bali as Indonesia’s Tourism Hub
Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana emphasized the government’s commitment to making Bali a leading tourism destination in Indonesia. She highlighted the importance of “Quality Tourism” to increase visitor numbers to the Island of the Gods, particularly during the holiday season.
During a recent visit to Jatiluwih, a world-renowned tourist village in Tabanan, Bali, awarded by the United Nations Tourism Organization in 2024, Widiyanti expressed her appreciation for the recognition.
“I applaud this achievement and am confident that tourist visits to Jatiluwih will rise significantly during the Christmas and New Year holidays,” she stated, quoting antaranews.com
The Tourism Ministry, accompanied by Deputy Minister Ni Luh Puspa, extended gratitude to stakeholders for their dedication, which contributed to Jatiluwih’s global recognition.
Infrastructure and Cultural Preservation for Sustainable Tourism
To enhance Bali’s tourism quality, the Ministry of Tourism plans to collaborate with the Bali Provincial Government on infrastructure improvements, including building parking facilities at key destinations like Jatiluwih to prevent congestion during peak holiday seasons.
“Bali’s rich traditions and local wisdom must also be preserved. Who else will protect Bali’s culture if not the Balinese people themselves?” said Deputy Minister Ni Luh Puspa.
Bali’s Provincial Head of Tourism, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, underscored Bali’s role as Indonesia’s tourism locomotive, contributing 50% of national tourist arrivals. The government is committed to further developing Bali’s tourism potential and to ensure Bali’s tourist destinations continue to improve in quality,” he said.
Tabanan: A Model of Cultural and Natural Wealth
Tabanan Regent Komang Gede Sanjaya highlighted the region’s natural and cultural wealth, rooted in local wisdom passed down for thousands of years. This heritage has earned recognition from UNESCO.
“Tabanan is a top destination for both leisure travelers and international delegations” he explained.
Sanjaya emphasized the importance of collaboration among communities, the government, and private sectors to develop sustainable tourism in Jatiluwih.
“To advance Tabanan and Jatiluwih, there are three key pillars: communities preserving local wisdom, businesses supporting initiatives, and government backing,” he said.
Optimism for Growing Tourism
Ketut Purna, Manager of Jatiluwih Tourism, is optimistic about a 50% increase in tourist arrivals, supported by reduced airfare prices. This policy is expected to make destinations like Jatiluwih even more accessible and attractive during the holiday season.
By combining innovative programs, infrastructure development, and cultural preservation, Bali continues to solidify its position as Indonesia’s premier tourism destination.
Source: detik.com, antaranews.com
Image source credit: Aditya agarwal (pexels.com)
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