A call to collaborate among Indonesia's travel and tourism industry players to promote quality and sustainable tourism is resonating at the 10th Bali Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF 2024), which opened today.
Speaking at today's event, tourism expert Ida Pandita Mpu Brahmananda, professor of tourism science at Udayana University Bali and known to tourism industry insiders as I Gede Pitana, stressed the importance of collaboration for the success of regenerative tourism.
I Gede Pitana (second from right) of Udayana University, Bali interacted with industry leaders during a panel at BBTF 2024.
He also urged industry players to capitalise on Bali's tourism strengths to spread their business and profits across the country.
Indeed, the mission of the annual BBTF is to highlight not only the popular resort island of Bali, but also Indonesia's diverse travel and tourism destinations and products, as well as the latest developments in this popular resort destination.
The theme of BBTF 2024, which will run from today until June 14, is “Explore and Experience Indonesia's Sense of Beauty”. The content will focus on the diverse attractions across Indonesia and sustainable efforts to protect nature, culture and heritage. The event also aims to build collaboration to promote quality and sustainable tourism.
BBTF chairman I Putu Winastra told TTG Asia: “Last year's event focused on how the industry is stepping up its sustainability efforts. This year we hope to see products emerge that meet the demands and needs of today's travellers.”
BBTF 2024 exhibits will promote products and experiences in the adventure, nature, countryside, gastronomy, community-based and health categories, with a particular focus on the current growing interest in wellness and medical tourism.
During the B2B sessions on June 13th and 14th, around 460 buyers from 45 countries will interact with 282 sales organizations.
This year, 11 provinces will participate: Bali, Jakarta, West Nusa Tenggara, West Java, Central Java, Riau Islands, Yogyakarta, East Nusa Tenggara, Bangka Belitung, South Sulawesi and East Kalimantan.
Additionally, Nepal, Timor-Leste, China, the United States, Malaysia, South Africa and Iran will also be participating in the exhibition.
Putu said: “We have been working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to invite and select buyers and are pleased to see many new buyers coming from countries we have not reached before, such as Panama and Bulgaria.”
“We are also pleased to see an increase in the participation of international distributors this year – from five last year to seven this year. This shows that they consider BBTF a good platform to do business.”
This year, BBTF attendees will have access to an upgraded event app that works on Android and iPhone devices, allowing for easy advance booking.
