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Tourism stakeholders prepare for industry revival at Bali and Beyond Travel Fair 2022
Government officials, the private sector, tourism associations and various other stakeholders convene at the International Convention Center (BICC) in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Thursday to open the eighth Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF).
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overnment officials, the private sector, tourism associations and various other stakeholders convene at the International Convention Center (BICC) in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Thursday to open the eighth Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF). Leading the ceremony was the head of the Bali chapter of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA), I Putu Winastra. Also attending the hybrid event were 273 buyers from 31 countries, 181 sellers from thirteen provinces, local and national media and exhibition participants.
The BBTF this year was themed “Balancing in Harmony” and explored the prospects of a travel industry revival centered around sustainability and wellness and health tourism.
“[The theme] aims to revive post-pandemic tourism – an inspiration for stakeholders to actively promote wellness and spiritual balance, sustainable products and quality tourism,” said Putu Winastra.
He emphasized that conventional travel shouldn’t be replaced by technology.
“Travelers seek comfort in friendship, storytelling and culture. Like art, there is the heart and passion that makes it impossible to replace trust and [the power of] networking,” he added.
In his opening remarks, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said the tourism industry’s revival also depended on the quality – and not just the number – of arrivals.
“We are seeing the contribution of travel agents and tour operators in encouraging collaborations with other stakeholders within the industry,” said Sandiaga.
For the first time, state-owned company Aviata inJourney, or PT Aviasi Wisata Indonesia, under which PT Angkasa Pura I and II, PT Hotel Indonesia Natour (INA), the Indonesian Tourism Development Corporation, PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko and PT Sarinah are organized, attended the event, as a breath of fresh air for the tourism industry.
“International arrivals upon the opening of borders have been 5,800 per day with domestic visitors recorded at 10,000. The numbers may significantly increase with the addition of MICE events,” said Ricky Wirjan, head of strategic marketing and consumer experience at Aviata.
Accordingly, the director for MICE and special interest promotion for the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, Rizki Handayani Mustafa, noted the importance of new narratives using event-based experiential tourism that followed global trends. “The involvement of Bali stakeholders in collaboration with the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry to communicate one mission with representatives of the Foreign Ministry to promote events is very strategic,” he said.
At the opening ceremony, Rizki was accompanied by Bali Tourism Office head Tjok Bagus Pemayu, who represented the governor of Bali. Both marked BBTF 2022 as a starting point for a new era in Indonesian tourism that focused on “change, development and learning”.
Representing the Foreign Ministry was Widya Sadnovic, director for European affairs I and secretary for tourism for the Economic Recovery Acceleration Team (TPPE). He said the 193 Indonesian representatives abroad could potentially be the spearpoint of promoting events in Indonesia.
“The Travel Tourism Index ranks Indonesia at 32 from the previous 44. This means that we can recruit more visitors, especially for MICE, in a shorter time frame with maximum coordination.”
The head of the Bali regional office of the Law and Human Rights Ministry, Anggiat Napitupulu, showcased the conditions and challenges in anticipating the incoming flow of travelers and the high demand for flights since the opening of international borders. Visas on arrival for 72 countries and visa-free privileges for 9 ASEAN countries also played an important role in the industry’s revival.
“We are also closely observing challenges in preparing accommodations for upcoming events and product quality after two years of inactivity,” said the head of the Bali Tourism Board, Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana.
“We will need the tourism ministry’s help in order to ensure the acceleration of this industry,” he added.
International representatives in attendance also observed Bali’s value for money in the luxury market, including first-time Nigerian buyers represented by the CEO of Nigerian Travel Two (NTT), Elizabeth Agboola.
The event concluded with a press conference closed by the general manager of the Westin Nusa Dua and multi-property vice president of Bali properties Oriol Montal, surrounded by optimism from all stakeholders and involved parties.
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