Bali — the choice of millions: verified facts, figures, and trends

In 2025 and early 2026, Bali once again proved itself as one of the world’s strongest tourism and investment destinations. The island broke records in tourist arrivals, received numerous prestigious awards, and set a course for modernization and infrastructure development.

International awards: No.1 in the world and 30+ accolades

Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice — Best of the Best named Bali the world’s top travel destination in 2026. The island surpassed London, Dubai, and Paris. The Best of the Best status is awarded to less than 1% of all participating destinations.

From late 2025 to early 2026, Indonesia received international recognition from Forbes Travel & Lifestyle, BBC Travel, Rough Guides, The Times, and other globally renowned publications across the US, Europe, and Asia. For example, Pemuteran village was ranked among the world’s top 52 tourist villages by the UN, while Waterbom Bali was named the No.1 water park globally. The list of accolades also includes multiple wins across categories ranging from luxury travel to romantic getaways.

Condé Nast Traveller (UK), Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, and DestinAsian Readers' Choice Awards recognized Bali as Asia’s Best Island 2025.

The World Travel Awards restored the island’s title as Asia’s Leading Wedding Destination 2025. At the same time, Bali was named Asia’s Most Romantic Destination for the seventh consecutive time.

This leadership is not a one-time achievement. Behind these rankings are millions of reviews, real air traffic volumes, and rigorous editorial selection, confirming consistent global recognition.

Record-breaking tourism figures

Bali welcomed over 7.05 million international tourists — an all-time historical high, surpassing the pre-pandemic record of 2019 (6.27 million) and exceeding 2024 figures by 11.3%. The peak months were July and August, with more than 1.5 million passengers passing through airports. The largest number of visitors arrived from Australia, India, China, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

Ngurah Rai International Airport has now launched the second phase of its modernization: a new terminal connection is under construction, along with expanded corridors and check-in areas. This is part of a broader strategy for sustainable long-term growth.

Focus on quality

Record-breaking numbers are driven by sustainable development, attracting higher-spending visitors and expatriates from Europe and the United States. In 2025, local authorities and the Indonesian government openly adopted a “quality tourism” strategy: shifting focus from volume of arrivals to spending levels, length of stay, and compliance with social norms.

Environmental protection has also become a priority, with the island’s nature strictly safeguarded by new legal regulations. At the same time, restrictions on construction in agricultural and protected areas have been introduced, and some illegal developments have already been demolished.

Implications for real estate investors

As Bali continues to win international awards and attract millions of international travelers, demand for short-term rentals and villa occupancy rates is steadily increasing. This naturally boosts asset liquidity, attracting expatriates and high-spending Western investors.

As a result, property prices are also trending upward:

• In Canggu and Uluwatu — by 10–20% annually
• In the northern regions — by 10%+
• Land in Tabanan is increasing in value by 10% and higher

Experts forecast continued growth driven by international recognition, устойчивый туристический поток, developing infrastructure, and the island’s unique character.

Additionally, large-scale changes in recent years — including the introduction of digital nomad visas, legislative reforms for developers, new highway construction, and the development of northern Bali following UN recognition — further strengthen Bali as a secure investment destination.

Investment trends

The investment market has shifted toward premium developments: club residences, boutique hotels, and wellness projects. Regulatory pressure on informal construction increases the value of legally developed projects — particularly in Nusa Dua and the southern part of the island. According to analysts, the combination of record tourism flows, stricter development control, and growing demand for high-end real estate positions Bali as one of the most attractive property markets in Asia.

The top locations for property investment currently include Canggu, Berawa, Uluwatu, Ubud, northern Bali, Sanur, and Nusa Dua.

Conclusion

A decade ago, Indonesia was perceived as an exotic resort destination; today, it is a mature, well-managed tourism and investment market with a clear strategy, rising quality standards, and stable returns. The combination of unique nature, culture, and infrastructure supports long-term growth, while new strict regulations help safeguard investments.