Bali’s tourism leaders have urged hotels, resorts, and guesthouses not to lower prices as the low season lingers and tourist travel trends change.
Officials from the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association say that businesses must not get caught in price wars.
While prices may not be dropping for Bali tourists anytime soon, incredibly affordable accommodation deals are just waiting to be discovered.
The Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association for Badung Regency, I Gusti Agung Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya, has spoken to reporters about the organisation’s concerns over unhealthy price competition, it’s impact on the local economy and it’s impact on tourist’s experience on the island.
Suryawijaya said that although up to 17,000 tourists arrive on the island every day, the tourism sector in the province needs to remain guarded and strategic in changing times. He shared, “If we look at international tourists, those who come are still in the normal category with 42 direct flights and plus one from Saudi Arabia, so a total of 43 flights per day. The average arrival is 16,000-17,000 people.”
Suryawijaya noted that travel demographics are changing, with more ‘middle-class’ tourists visiting the island. These tourists do not stay at four—or five-star hotels but rather opt to stay in private rental villas, smaller guesthouses, and homestays. He added, “Most of these travelers stay in affordable villas, in guest houses, apartments, or homestays; that’s what happens.”
He clearly did not have a problem with tourists staying in locally operated and lower-cost private rental villas, smaller guesthouses, and homestays, primarily since many of these properties are locally owned and operated.
However, he was cautious in advising property managers and booking agents to increase their vigilance against illegally operating accommodation providers, and in what is commonly referred to as the race to the bottom line, in terms of pricing.
He is concerned that many illegally operating accommodations are not paying their hotel and restaurant taxes.
If legal businesses drop their prices to compete, the government will have less tax revenue to work with.
Suryawijaya told reporters, “I urge all members of PHRI and Villa Association to be careful and vigilant, because they are worried that those who come are not tourists, but actually working in Bali. This is what you should watch out for. We must work together with stakeholders, including immigration, police, Satpol PP, and associations, to monitor this situation.”
He added, “If many people come to take the jobs of local residents, this will be difficult. The crime rate also has the potential to increase. This is what we are worried about.” Suryawijaya concluded “I monitor myself, in Badung for the first three months of 2025, the tax [target] was not met. That alone has become an example that Badung as a barometer of Bali tourism is facing challenges.”
Tourists planning trips to Bali in 2025 would be wise to shop around to find great hotels, resorts, and guesthouse deals throughout the island’s most popular destinations. While per-night room rates may not be dropping anytime soon, almost all of the major chain hotels and resorts in Bali have package deals on offer.
The Padma Legian, for example, as one of Bali’s most prominent beachfront hotels, offers an advance booking rate that offers guests 40% off its internet rate by booking 14-days in advance, for stays between 1 April – 30 June 2025, 1 November – 30 December 2025, 1 February – 31 March 2026. The deal also includes daily buffet breakfast, complementary wifi and return airport transfers for bookings over 2-nights.
The Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is another top hotel offering year-round package room deals.
The Suite Experience, for example, offers guests a daily buffet breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children below 12 years old, Jewelry Box Afternoon Tea for 2 people, one-time free minibar amenities, as well as 15% off food and drinks at the in-house eateries and access to more than 20 all aged activities for the whole family. The deal is applicable for Sheraton Kuta suites, and rates start at IDR 4,100,000++ per room per night.
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