BADUNG, ULTIMOPARADISO.COM – The international tourism event Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2025 officially opened on Thursday (June 12) at The Westin Hotel, Nusa Dua, Bali. The opening ceremony was led by Governor of Bali Wayan Koster, accompanied by ASITA Chairman I Putu Winastra, Vice Governor of Jakarta Rano Karno, Head of Bank Indonesia’s Bali Office, and other invited guests.
In his remarks, Governor Koster expressed his appreciation for the continued success of BBTF, now in its 11th year. He highlighted BBTF’s growing role as a strategic platform in advancing sustainable and high-quality tourism development in Indonesia, particularly in Bali.
“I’ve observed BBTF’s progress over the years, and this year it has become even more refined. It aligns well with Bali’s tourism vision—culture-based, high-quality, and dignified,” said Koster.
He also emphasized the need for concrete efforts to sustain Bali’s tourism growth. The tourism sector remains a cornerstone of Bali’s economy, contributing 66% to the regional GDP and 44% to Indonesia’s total tourism foreign exchange earnings. In 2024, the island welcomed 6.4 million international visitors.
“Imagine—a small island like Bali contributes nearly half of the nation’s tourism foreign exchange. I hope the central government will consider incentives for regions that significantly contribute to this sector,” he added.
Governor Koster projected that international tourist arrivals in Bali could reach nearly 7 million by the end of 2025, following an 11% increase in arrivals as of May 2025.
BBTF: A Platform for Industry-Government Collaboration
Chairman of BBTF 2025 and ASITA Bali, I Putu Winastra, underlined that this year’s event highlights the spirit of collaboration between industry players and policymakers to shape a tourism future focused not only on economic growth but also on cultural preservation.
“Tourism is not merely about numbers and growth—it’s also about preservation. BBTF is more than a travel fair; it’s a collaborative space to ensure the quality of tourism is built together,” he said.
BBTF 2025 attracted 539 carefully selected buyers from 46 countries, with 133 applicants rejected for not meeting the qualification criteria. Meanwhile, 499 sellers from 284 companies participated, representing seven countries: Indonesia, Spain, Malaysia, the United States, Thailand, South Africa, and Namibia. From Indonesia, 11 provinces took part.
The event welcomed over 1,000 participants, reflecting strong enthusiasm and trust from the global tourism industry.
This year, BBTF also extended beyond Bali by organizing post-tour programs to top destinations such as Labuan Bajo and Wakatobi, aiming to promote Indonesia’s priority destinations.
With an estimated potential transaction value of IDR 7.84 trillion, BBTF 2025 is once again reaffirmed as one of the most significant and impactful tourism business events in Asia.
“We invite all participants to make the most of the opportunities available—explore the exhibition area and join the curated networking sessions,” Winastra concluded.
With strong synergy between the government and tourism stakeholders, BBTF 2025 is expected to serve as a catalyst for a more competitive, ethical, and sustainable future for Indonesian tourism.***
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