Sustainability, heritage themes central to Bali and Beyond Travel Fair 2024 | TTG Asia

Calls for collaboration among Indonesia’s travel and tourism players to drive quality and sustainable tourism are resounding at the 10th Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF 2024) that kicks off today.

Speaking at the event earlier today, Ida Pandita Mpu Brahmananda, who is known to industry players as I Gede Pitana, tourism expert and professor of tourism science at Udayana University Bali, underlined the importance of collaboration in successful implementation of regenerative tourism.

He also urged industry players to ride on the tourism strength of Bali to spread business and benefits throughout the country.

Indeed, the annual BBTF’s mission has been to emphasise Indonesia’s varied travel and tourism destinations and products beyond popular Bali as well as the resort hotspot’s latest developments.

The theme at BBTF 2024, which runs from today until June 14, is Exploring and Experiencing Sense of Indonesia’s Beauty. Content highlights diverse attractions across the country as well as sustainable practices in preserving nature, culture and heritage. The event also aims to foster collaboration that facilitate quality and sustainable tourism.

I Putu Winastra, committee head of BBTF, told TTG Asia: “Last year, the event focused on how the industry was stepping up efforts on sustainability. This year, we expect to see resulting products that meet the demands and needs of today’s travellers.”

BBTF 2024’s exhibits promote products and experiences in the categories of adventure, nature, rural, gastronomy, community-based and health – particularly emphasising on the current mounting interests in wellness and medical tourism.

Some 460 buyers from 45 countries will connect with 282 seller organisations during the B2B sessions on June 13 and 14.

Eleven provinces, comprising of Bali, Jakarta, West Nusa Tenggara, West Java, Central Java, Riau Islands, Yogyakarta, East Nusa Tenggara, Bangka Belitung Islands, South Sulawesi, and East Kalimantan are participants this year.

Additionally, Nepal, Timor Leste, China, the US, Malaysia, South Africa and Iran are also at the show.

Putu said: “We have been working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in inviting and selecting buyers, and are happy to see many new buyers from countries we have not reached before, such as Panama and Bulgaria.

“We are also happy to see more international sellers participating this year. Last year we had five; this year seven. This shows that BBTF is seen as a good platform for them to do business.”

BBTF attendees this year have access to an upgraded event app that functions on android and iPhone devices, allowing them to pre-schedule appointments with ease.