Is the Bali travel boom about to burst? Hardly.The Indonesian hotspot continues its massive surge in popularity, with one of Australia’s biggest online travel agents (OTA) reporting that flight bookings to the province have grown by a whopping 45 per cent year-on-year.
As impressive as that is, even more notable is data that shows that air ticket sales to Bali for July and August 2024 are nearly twice as high (95 per cent up) as in September and October.
According to Webjet, Australian bookings to Bali are also easily outpacing business to other Aussie favourites like Fiji (158 per cent higher), Phuket (169 per cent) and Koh Samui (194 per cent).
With this demand, Bali has accounted for a quarter (24 per cent) of all international flight bookings on Webjet over the Australian winter.
Here are the top 10 destinations (booked from 1 July 2023-17 May 2024 for travel 1 June 2024 – 31 August 2024):
- Bali 24%
- London 9%
- Queenstown 5%
- Auckland 4%
- Fiji 3%
- Athens 3%
- Singapore 2%
- Tokyo 2%
- Bangkok 2%
- Christchurch 2%
Bali’s popularity during the Australian winter isn’t surprising.
“You can expect reliably dry and sunny weather between April and October with average daytime highs hovering in the low 30s,” Intrepid Travel says of travel to Bali.
But travelling to the Indonesian island during its peak months comes with its drawbacks.
“It can be more expensive to book flights, accommodation and activities during these months,” the small group tour operator states on its website.
However, bargains can still be found for travel in October.
“The best time to travel to Bali is in October,” insurer Budget Direct says.
“October is considered to be the end of the peak season in Bali. Prices for flights and accommodation are cheaper than the peak months of June, July, August and September.”
According to Webjet, family bookings (combined adult and children fares) have been especially strong during the peak period, accounting for nearly three-quarters (71 per cent) of all bookings.
But one demographic that’s bucking the Bali travel trend is older Australians, with over-55s making up just one-fifth (22 per cent) of all bookings during the peak season, a nosedive from 37 per cent last year.
After introducing a new tourist tax in February this year, Bali officials are already considering significantly increasing the levy.
