Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  Bali Governor Wayan Koster confirmed that the escalating war in the Middle East has directly impacted the island's tourism, with foreign arrivals showing a notable decline. 

Speaking in Jimbaran on Thursday (5/23/2026), he noted that the disruption has resulted in a loss of approximately 800 visitors per day, primarily from Middle Eastern countries.

"There has been a decline over the past four days, with roughly 800 people from the Middle East arriving daily," Governor Koster said, as reported by antaranews.com.

While European tourists often transit through hubs like Dubai or Doha, the Governor observed they are increasingly rerouting via Singapore or Thailand to reach Bali. The disruption follows the cancellation of 15 incoming flights from major carriers Etihad, Emirates, and Qatar Airways since 28 February 2026 due to regional airspace closures. 

Governor Koster expected a swift resolution to the war between the U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran, emphasizing that route consolidations are necessary to stabilize Bali’s vital tourism sector and mitigate the ongoing economic impact of the geopolitical crisis.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)