Three countries to attend BBTF: Association

Denpasar (Antaranews Bali) - Three countries will attend the fifth Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) for the first time as tour package sellers, the Association of Indonesian Travel Agents (Asita) of Bali stated.

Chairman of Bali Asita I Ketut Ardana remarked here on Monday that Thailand, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates are among the 230 tour package sellers along with other Indonesian tourism players.

According to Ardana, 225 buyers from 48 countries have registered for the annual event that brings together the world`s tourism business participants.

In addition, the exhibition, to be held June 26-30, 2018, at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, will be covered by 33 international media, 21 national media, and 40 industries that will occupy the pavilion area.

In addition, the BBTF 2018 will feature speakers, who will discuss industry opportunities, trends, and insights as well as highlight the diversity of Indonesia`s cultural heritage in line with this year`s theme of "Exploring the Colors of Indonesia."

"We chose that theme, as we believe in Indonesia`s potential, with Bali as a tourism market place," he added.

For this year`s event, Asita has cooperated with the Badung district government, Bali Province, which also supports the implementation and promotion, with a total budget of Rp7 billion.

Head of the Badung Tourism Office I Made Badra remarked that the funding is allocated from the Regional Government Budgets for 2018, as it is in line with the local government`s policy to make tourism as one of the main revenue generators of the area.

Badra has also designed the Sasana Culture Building, which stands at the Government Center of Badung District in Mangupura, and is projected to be the venue for the upcoming BBTF, with a capacity of some 15 thousand people.

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya had earlier supported the implementation of BBTF, as it was viewed as being successful in synergizing the pentahelix model comprising stakeholders, business, public administration, community, knowledge and capital sectors.

"This further motivates us to fully support the BBTF, with an amazing track record, and has proven its performance as a leading travel exhibition in Indonesia," he noted.

Since its inception in 2014, the BBTF aims to advance the tourism industry through business sessions and direct promotions, making the annual event a benchmark for travel, tourism, and tourist destinations in Indonesia.

BBTF represents the spectrum of tourism, including the hospitality sector, tour operators or travel agencies, national tourism organizations, conventions, and travel agencies. (WDY)