PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia, the State-owned company that manages Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, rolled out the red carpet and pulled out all stops to welcome 2025 and passengers landing in Bali during the transition to the coming New Year.
As reported by NusaBali.com, Bali representatives of the National and Provincial Tourism Office joined the Airport’s management and staff to welcome the first visitors of 2025 to Bali’s Airport. Travelers passing Indonesia’s main tourism gateway, at or near the stroke of midnight, were festooned with traditional floral leis, greeted by traditional dance performances, and personally welcomed by local community members in traditional dress,
Festival Welcomes and Fond Farewells
Experiencing the extensive welcoming ceremony were passengers traveling on Air Asia QZ247 flying from Phuket to Bali. While arriving passengers in Bali were busy being welcomed at the arrival terminal, those leaving Bali were also the subject of special treatment. The last departing passengers of 2024 flying Jet Star Asia 3K240 destined for Singapore were serenaded by a traditional rindik musical performance and traditional dances. The departing visitors were presented with batik hand fans.
Pura Wahyudi, the CEO of Region II of PT Angkasa Pura, and the general manager of Bali’s Airport, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, joined the arrival-departure festivities.
Reacting to the New Year welcoming celebration at Bali’s Airport, an arriving passenger from the United States said: “What I really like about this Airport (Ngurah Rai Airport) is that its location is easy to reach. The hospitality and culture are excellent.”
” Meanwhile, the General Manager of the Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, said the New Year’s Event aimed to create a memorable experience for passengers. He added that the commitment to show the beauty of Balinese culture is strengthened through design elements, ornamentation accents installed across the Airport, and live cultural performances. Adding: “We want to make this Airport more than just a transit point. The Airport must showcase Indonesian culture and be a place where pleasant and memorable experiences are created.”
As part of the Airport’s continuing transformation, Ahmad Syaugi said that PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia continues to innovate and improve services at Ngurah Rai Airport.
On New Year’s Eve, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism staff welcomed 264 passengers on Garuda Indonesia flight GA 719 from Melbourne, Australia. A traditional Pendet Dance performance welcomed the arrival of passengers in early 2025.
Forming part of the welcoming entourage in Bali were the Acting Deputy for Marketing of the Ministry of Tourism, Ni Made Ayu Martini, and the general manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, Head of the Bali Tourism Office Tjok Bagus Pemayun, representatives of ASITA Bali, and Garuda Indonesia Representatives of the Bali Branch.
The head of the Bali Tourism Office, Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun, said the number of foreign tourist visitors to Bali from January 2024 through December 29, 2024, totaled 6.3 million. This number exceeded the official target for 2024 of 5.5 million foreign tourists.
For 2025, Bali is targeting 6 to 6.5 million foreign visitors. “We hope for foreign tourists who stay longer, who will spend more money and respect for local culture and society,” said Pemayun. Adding: “This is to build and realize quality in sustainable tourism products.”
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