Who's Banking on Bali?

With surging tourist numbers after the pandemic, global brands continue to keep their sights on Bali for commercial investment and major developments. From aviation giants to luxury cruise lines, to entertainment powerhouses, Bali is as in-demand as ever. This recent influx of these renowned entities and investments will no doubt have a strong impact on shaping the island’s future.

Emirates Air's Soaring Success

In June of this year, Bali welcomed the daily Emirates Dubai-Bali A380 flight, the largest passenger aircraft. This service links Bali with global destinations via the United Arab Emirates, operating at an astounding 98% occupancy, an average of 602 passengers per flight. In nearly 12 months of operation, the route is responsible for bringing more than 200,000 tourists to the island.

Etihad Joins the Pack

The island is further connected to the Western Hemisphere by the addition of Etihad Airways this year, with the global airline providing direct flights from Abu Dhabi which will give another gateway to travellers from Europe and the Americas.

Vistara Air Connects India and Bali (Finally!)

Vistara Air, a joint venture of Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, began daily non-stop flights from Delhi to Bali starting December 2023. This service marked the first direct air connection between India and Bali, with India being the second largest source of tourists to Bali, behind Australia, with 440,415 arrivals from India last year. Vistara is a leading airline in India and SE Asia, including being named the '16th Best Airline' globally.\

IndiGo is Bali’s Newest Connection to India

Following the lead of Vistara and the demand from India, the low-cost airline IndiGo is now providing daily service between Bali and the city of Bangalore.

TUI BLUE's Expansion in Bali

TUI BLUE, part of the TUI Group, is set to open a new 108-room property in Berawa, Bali, as part of its aggressive expansion in Asia. This move by TUI Group, a global tourism leader with a diverse portfolio including hotels, resorts, and cruise ships, is the brand’s first move into the “Island of the Gods.”

Paramount Pictures' New Theme Park

As one of the most highly anticipated upcoming developments, Bali is gearing up to start the construction of the Paramount theme park and resort development in Jembrana Regency, due to open in 2025. This project spread over 570,000 sqm, will be the largest theme park in Southeast Asia, and is poised to significantly boost tourism and feature various Paramount and Nickelodeon characters, promising an exciting new entertainment hub.

Celebrity Cruises' Landmark Arrival

Celebrity Cruises has marked a new era in Bali's maritime tourism with the arrival of the Celebrity Solstice, the largest ship ever to dock on the island. With the inaugural voyage docking on October 30 2023, the jumbo cruise ship— measuring 317 metres in length and 37 metres in width — carrying 3,944 passengers from Sydney to the island’s shore for a one-night stay before continuing onwards to Singapore.

Expansion of Established Brands

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the brands who have already solidified their stance in Bali, with the aim to expand in the next few years. In addition to our partners The LUC managed by TUI Blue, other key players will also expand their footprint on the islands.

- Kempinski Hotels is set to open The Apurva Kempinski Ubud in 2027, a stunning hilltop retreat complementing its beachfront counterpart in Nusa Dua.

- Hilton is anticipating the November 2023 opening of its first LXR-branded resort in Southeast Asia, with a cliffside resort in Uluwatu with 72 all-pool villas.

- IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) is introducing two distinctive properties: Regent Canggu and the first Vignette Collection hotel in Indonesia. Regent Canggu, with its contemporary design inspired by Indonesian culture, and Rumah Luwih Bali, a beachfront luxury resort soon to be rebranded as a Vignette Collection property.

"Bali's influx of global brands and major projects is a clear indicator of its enduring allure and potential,” says Chad Egan, CEO of GPFG. “For investors looking at Bali, these developments are a crystal clear indicator of the island's robust growth trajectory over the next few years.”

For years Bali has been among the list, if not at the top, of the world’s most beloved travel destinations, and the resurgence after the pandemic has no signs of slowing down. If anything, we may be only at the beginning of what could be a transformative era. Global brands are looking to cash in, seeing the island as a solid investment destination for years to come.