BADUNG, BALI — Australia continues to be one of Bali’s most important international visitor markets. By the end of September 2026, arrivals from Australia had reached approximately 1.3 million, accounting for around 25% of total international visitor arrivals to the Indonesian island.
This strong performance underlines the strategic importance of the Australian market to Bali’s tourism industry and highlights the value of expanding air connectivity between the two destinations.
The launch of TransNusa’s new Melbourne–Bali route is expected to improve travel accessibility, provide greater flight choice and support further growth in Australian visitor arrivals. The additional connection also presents opportunities for Bali to strengthen its position as a leading destination for international business events.
“The expanded Melbourne–Bali connection offers an additional travel option for Australian delegates, corporate groups and event organisers, strengthening the island's appeal as an international MICE destination.”
Melbourne–Bali: Strengthening a Key Tourism Connection
Nugroho Jati, General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, welcomed the opening of the new route, highlighting Melbourne’s importance as a potential international aviation market for Bali.
The Melbourne–Bali route ranks among the airport’s top five international routes in terms of average passenger numbers and seat load factor.
The introduction of TransNusa’s service is expected to strengthen air links between Bali and Australia, while supporting the continued development of the island’s tourism sector.
For international travellers, improved connectivity can make Bali more accessible for holidays, business travel, family visits, corporate gatherings and international conferences.
New Opportunities for International Business Event Planners
Reliable and convenient air connectivity is a key consideration for international business event planners when selecting a destination for conferences, conventions, exhibitions, corporate meetings and incentive programmes.
The expanded Melbourne–Bali connection offers an additional travel option for Australian delegates, corporate groups and event organisers considering Bali for their next business event.
For event planners, stronger air links can help facilitate delegate travel, improve destination accessibility and support the development of more attractive event programmes. Combined with Bali’s established hospitality sector, diverse accommodation options, unique cultural experiences and range of meeting and event venues, improved connectivity strengthens the island’s appeal as an international MICE destination.
Bali also offers opportunities to combine business programmes with leisure activities, cultural experiences and incentive travel, allowing organisers to create more engaging and memorable experiences for delegates.
Bali’s International Air Network Continues to Expand
By the end of September 2026, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport was serving 63 routes, comprising 22 domestic and 41 international routes, connecting Bali with 16 countries.
The continued expansion of air services is an important factor in maintaining Bali’s competitiveness as an international tourism and business events destination.
For the MICE sector — Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions — accessible air connections can influence destination selection, delegate participation and the overall convenience of attending an event.
A broader international flight network also creates opportunities for collaboration between airlines, hotels, destination management companies, convention bureaux, professional conference organisers and other tourism stakeholders.
BaliCEB: Positioning Bali for International Business Events
For the Bali Convention & Exhibition Bureau (BaliCEB), stronger international air connectivity is an important component of Bali’s strategy to attract more international conferences, conventions, exhibitions and incentive travel programmes.
Australia’s substantial visitor contribution provides a strong foundation for further engagement with Australian corporate clients, association executives, professional conference organisers and incentive travel agencies.
With improved travel options, Bali can continue to promote its appeal to international event planners seeking destinations that combine professional event infrastructure with distinctive cultural experiences and high-quality hospitality.
Bali’s business events offering extends beyond conventional meeting facilities. Event organisers can explore beachfront gala dinners, cultural performances, team-building activities, wellness experiences and incentive programmes that showcase the island’s unique character.
These experiences allow planners to develop programmes that deliver both business value and memorable destination experiences for their delegates.
Source: Bali Post, 22 October 2026. (BaliCEB Media Team)