FIGURES just released confirm forecast changes in the makeup of foreign tourist arrivals in Bali last year, with more than one in five now coming from Australia and former market leader Japan now the No.2 country for foreign tourist arrivals behind the Aussies.
The number foreign tourist arrivals in Bali broke the two-million mark for the first time with a total of 2,229,945 visitors in 2009 – an improvement of 13.26% over 2008 when a then-record 1,968,892 people visited the island.
Bali Update says Asia-Pacific and ASEAN markets accounted for an overwhelming 67.91% of all arrivals, underlining a shift to more short-haul travellers who generally spend less and stay for shorter periods in Bali.
The year also saw a significant reshuffle of the pecking order among key markets for Bali. Japan, which has historically held the top position for producing travellers to Bali, was resoundingly relegated to the No.2 position, displaced by Australia who sent a record-breaking 446,042 visitors to Bali, compared to 319,473 Japanese visitors. Australia was boosted by a strong national economy and a bevy of new low-cost carriers, increasing arrivals by 45.43% for the year.
Meanwhile, a hobbled national carrier, Japan Airlines, now in bankruptcy, and a struggling economy saw Japanese arrivals decline by 9.95%,
Mainland China assumed third place with 199,528 visitors, an increase of 54.54% year-on-year. Malaysia secured 4th place with 132,835 while growing 2.44%. Both Taiwan (119,413) and South Korea (123,879) lost ground, declining 7.56% and 6.55% respectively.
French arrivals grew an impressive 44.94% in 2009 totalling 110,224.
Americans arrived in greater numbers after the easing of US Government warnings about terrorism, with visitors growing 8.74% to 74,010.
The UK market grew an impressive 12.69% to 92,898 visitors, but Germany’s troubled economy contracted holiday travel to Bali by 8.7% to 74,678.
