Bali hotel occupancy slipped in September 2026. Star-rated hotels filled 66.42% of their rooms, down 1.77 points on August and 1.75 points on September 2025, according to the BPS Bali tourism release of 2 November. The drop did not come from foreign guests, whose numbers rose year on year. It came from Indonesians, who flew to Bali less. For owners, that shifts the question from “how many foreigners” to “who replaces the domestic guest”.
The numbers
| Measure | September 2026 | August 2026 | September 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star-hotel occupancy | 66.42% | 68.19% | 68.17% |
| Non-star and other lodging occupancy | 41.19% | 43.16% | 46.51% |
| Foreign arrivals | 650,169 | 685,994 | 635,149 |
September 2025 figures are from the BPS Bali release a year ago.
What happened
Foreign guests held up. Arrivals fell 5.22% from August, which is normal after the northern-summer peak. Against September 2025 they rose about 2.4%, by our calculation. Australians were the biggest group, at 25.39%.
Domestic travel fell hard. Local media, citing BPS transport data, reported that domestic departures from Ngurah Rai airport fell about 22% from August, to around 326,000. That was the steepest drop among Indonesia’s five main airports, against about 13% nationally. International departures fell about 8%. For January to September, domestic passengers were down about 5% on 2025, while international passengers were down under 2%. We have not checked these airport figures against the BPS tables ourselves.
The hotel association agrees. PHRI Bali, the hotel and restaurant association, told local media that domestic visits fell by up to 15% in September. It blamed high airfares, fewer government meetings and a weaker economy. PHRI’s own survey put members’ occupancy at 70% to 73% in the first half and 80% to 90% in July and August, higher than the BPS averages.
Our read
Non-star lodging is taking the bigger hit. Its occupancy fell about 5.3 points year on year, three times the drop at star hotels. Smaller properties rely more on domestic guests. They also compete with a large pool of villas and homestays, including unlicensed rentals.
Foreign growth is too slow for the forecast. Bali’s governor expects 7.1m to 7.2m foreign visitors in 2026. In our Bali foreign arrivals forecast we worked out that September to December must grow by about 10% to 14% for that to happen. September grew about 2.4%. The last quarter now has to do more, or the forecast will be missed.
Government business is the swing factor. Fewer state meetings hit hotels that sell MICE to ministries and state companies. That demand comes back only when travel budgets do.
Our view: September was not a crisis. Star-hotel occupancy is only 1.75 points below last year. But it shows the domestic guest is not a reliable filler for the shoulder season. Owners should plan for that in 2027.
What it means for you
1. Owners of star hotels
Check your September mix. If domestic room nights fell more than 15%, the gap is in segments, not in the market. Replace it with foreign leisure or long-stay deals.
2. Owners of smaller hotels and villas
The fall is deeper in your segment. Licensing and listing quality will matter more as competition grows.
3. MICE-heavy hotels
Do not count on government meetings returning in the fourth quarter. Look for corporate and incentive groups from Australia and Asia.
4. Hotels outside the south
Access is part of demand. Watch ground transport as well as flights; see our report on Bali’s fuel queues. For one inland example, see our profile of Padma Resort Ubud.
FAQ
What was Bali hotel occupancy in September 2026?
66.42% at star-rated hotels and 41.19% at non-star hotels and other lodging, according to BPS Bali.
Is Bali hotel occupancy down on last year?
Yes. Star-hotel occupancy was 1.75 points below September 2025. Non-star occupancy was about 5.3 points lower.
How many foreign tourists visited Bali in September 2026?
650,169 foreign arrivals, down 5.22% on August but up about 2.4% on September 2025.
Why did occupancy fall?
Mainly weaker domestic travel. The hotel association pointed to high airfares, fewer government meetings and a weaker economy.
Will Bali hit its 2026 forecast of 7.1m to 7.2m foreign visitors?
It now looks hard. September to December needs growth of about 10% to 14%, and September grew about 2.4%.
