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THE MINISTRY of Tourism and Creative Economy wants events meeting, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) Bali Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) to be the largest event in the Asian region so as to attract more buyers and Sellers from various countries.
According to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno after attending the 2023 BBTF in Bali, Saturday (6/17), 2023 explained that the 9th BBTF implementation this year initiated by Asita Bali was one of the efforts to recover the Bali Post-Pemapandemi Covid-19 with an interesting More Buyers and Sellers were involved in the event.
“Thank you BBTF this year is far greater and can attract more than 350 buyers from 51 countries, and 230 Sellers from 5 countries where besides Indonesia, there are China, Malaysia, America and Italy who participated. Hopefully next year it can be improved and become the biggest event in the Asian region,” he said.
That, said Sandiaga, will be able to strengthen Indonesia’s position as a leader who focuses on the revival of quality and sustainable tourism based on dignified culture as well as BBTF is considered capable of encouraging MICE potential in the country.
“So that later we can get a positive response to encourage the achievement of our target this year of 8.5 million foreign tourists, next year our upper limit target reaches 14.3 million tourists. And our hope in 2024 is also able to create 4.4 million new jobs,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Deputy Governor of Bali Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati said the BBTF raised the theme of the relationship between quality and sustainable tourism which was expected to make Bali a hub for other destinations in the country.
“This is an event held for stakeholders, especially tourism actors in Bali. We support next year BBTF will be made a bigger event. We really hope that the great support of both the government and other tourism stakeholders so that Bali can become a hub and become a melting pot for Indonesia,” he noted.
In addition, Sandiaga also responded to the Indonesian government which temporarily suspended visa -free visa policy (BVK) for 159 countries. That, it is believed that Sandiaga will not reduce the interest of tourists to come to Indonesia, especially Bali.
“Of the 159 countries, its contribution to foreign tourist visits is very low. So now we are suspended and will be reviewed the policy. So that some tourists can use the Visa On Arrival (VOA) or e-visa policy which will be facilitated. The target is that we can attract more quality and sustainable tourists, that is our hope,” he added.
Sandiaga also stressed that during the COVID-19 visa-free program this visit was stopped because the world was in the pandemic period. But with the border reopened last year and this year the visit began to increase, the government immediately reviewed a more appropriate policy.
“Because with the VOA that we expect it has accommodated more than 80 percent of tourists who come and the rest they visit using the e-visa process. We want to lead to quality and sustainable tourism as well as the increase in visits and long tourism lives so as to have an impact on the local economy, while for tourists who will be dealt with firmly with applicable law,” Sandiaga concluded. [traveltext.id]
