Surpassing INR 75 crore in 2024, the company is now betting on new Indonesian destination itineraries and a raft of agent-focused initiatives to deepen its play in India’s booming secondary markets. Founder of Bali Trip Wisata, Dheeraj Ranjan Kumar, shares more.
When Bali Trip Wisata first set its sights on building a fully Indian-owned DMC (Destination Management Company) in Bali in 2015, the dream seemed audacious. Fast forward to 2024, it not only realised that dream but clocked about INR 75 crore in revenue—driven by aggressive fixed departures, strong MICE business, and a tech-savvy FIT (Free Independent Traveller) B2B portal.
“Our goal was to bridge Indian travel agents with on-ground expertise in Bali. The year 2024 was a breakthrough, with India’s response being exceptional,” recalled Dheeraj Ranjan Kumar, Founder of Balitrip Wisata in conversation T3.
Success wasn’t served on a platter, he added, speaking about challenges. Setting up a fully compliant, legally sound operation in Indonesia presented its share of hurdles. Pricing parity, real-time coordination between India and Bali teams, airline negotiations, and battling intense competition became daily battles. Yet, each challenge only sharpened Bali Trip’s operational excellence and agility.
Unveiling the ‘Maharaya’ of Luxury; smarter bookings
2025 will also mark a fresh chapter with the launch of Balitrip Maharaya Circle—the luxury vertical that curates villa stays, yacht charters, designer shopping, and fine dining. The company’s Offbeat Bali itineraries are also gaining traction, with immersive journeys through East Bali, Nusa Penida, and even Lombok.
On the destination development side, Bali is working hard to combat overtourism in hotspots like Kuta and Ubud. Regions such as East Bali—Karangasem, Sidemen, and Amed—are being actively promoted for their pristine nature, cultural depth, and sustainable tourism offerings. Bali Trip Wisata, in collaboration with local communities, has developed new itineraries that align with this shift.
Further, to support their travel agent partners, Bali Trip is also rolling out API-integrated dynamic booking systems. This, said Kumar, will make it easier for agents to access dynamic rates and flight-inclusive packages.
Balitrip Wisata has also recently announced a significant milestone with the successful integration of Vietjet on its B2B portal. This development allows travel agents to book live Vietjet inventory directly through the platform, offering real-time access to fares across Bali, Vietnam, and other global routes operated by the airline. The portal also enables instant fare comparisons between online rates and fixed departure packages, providing a seamless experience for combining flight and land bookings. A training session for users is expected to be held soon, as per the recent company update.
India now an experience-focused market
The Indian traveller is changing, wanting more private experiences. Kumar shared the most in-demand experiences now include small group tours, clean family villas, women-only tours, and interest-based holidays—from cycling expeditions, spiritual retreats to Instagrammable experiences. “The demand for experiential luxury is rising steadily,” he asserted.
Further, as India cements its position as one of Bali’s strongest outbound markets, Bali Trip Wisata is shifting gears to tap deeper into India’s emerging travel hubs. “Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are now driving volume,” said Kumar. Cities like Surat, Baroda, Indore, and Cochin are being actively targeted through pre-purchased flight deals, city-wise pricing, and robust sales missions.
To further cement its foothold and cater to changing preferences, Bali Trip is also rolling out agent loyalty programs and vernacular marketing strategies, ensuring it resonates with travellers beyond the metros. “The Indian traveller today is value-conscious yet deeply experience-driven, and our approach reflects that evolution,” he added.
On the visa front, Indian travellers can still avail the Visa on Arrival facility at USD 35, but Bali Trip strongly recommends pre-payment online for smoother entry. Bali’s authorities are also tightening regulations on tourist conduct and advocating mandatory travel insurance.
The power of partnership with SATTE
Platforms like SATTE, which is South Asia’s largest travel exhibition, continue to be vital for Bali Trip, expressed Kumar. “SATTE is not just a platform—it’s a relationship engine. It helps us meet serious buyers from across India, showcase Bali’s evolving offerings, and build collaborations with niche operators.”
Kumar acknowledged that their participation in 2025 exhibition was strong, with 10 Bali partners and an Owners Lounge setup dedicated for deeper B2B engagement.