Held at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre (BNDCC) from June 22-26, Bali and Beyond Travel Fair 2016 (BBTF 2016) was officially opened by Arief Yahya, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, accompanied by Ketut Ardana, Chairman of Bali & Beyond Travel Fair.
BBTF 2016 gathered 168 registered sellers and 222 buyers from 30 countries in a successful bid to introduce destinations with tourism potential beyond Bali, resulting in a transaction value reaching IDR 6.8 trillion (approximately USD508 million).
Exhibiting participants this year included the different regencies from within Bali as well as West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Raja Ampat, Wakatobi and the Ministry of the ASEAN Region, among others.
Burgeoning collaboration
Held in conjunction with host province Tana Toraja, the travel expo has helped introduce Indonesia's cultural diversity, exotic natural beauty and remote regions to the outside world. The emergence of many new tourist destinations in Indonesia means that there are now even more unique places to explore and embrace, making BBTF 2016 an essential platform to present all that Indonesia has to offer.
To bring in potential and quality buyers, BBTF 2016 collaborated with Indonesian embassies in several key countries. It also worked with Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airlines, a PCO from Jakarta, CBI, ASITA Bali members, VITO and hoteliers.
Alfons van Duijvenbode, a strategic marketing expert from CBI, a Centre for the Promotion of Imports, spoke about the role of CBI in introducing new destinations and market strategies for Indonesian tourism in Europe. He explained that tourism destinations beyond Bali could be combined with a trip to Bali so that visitors get a combination of unique experiences. The approach taken in marketing tourism products in Indonesia starts with formulating a product development strategy followed by developing travel packages and itineraries in accordance to the European market. Online marketing and trade shows great promise for such activities.
In another strategic partnership, a MOU between ASITA Bali Chapter and JEJU Tourism Association was signed by Kim Yeong≠Jin, Chairman of Jeju Special Self≠Governing Provincial Tourism Association and Ketut Ardana, Head of ASITA Bali, heralding a mutually beneficial relationship that would foster cross-promotional activities in both islands.
Far-reaching possibilities
A tourism seminar titled “Treasures of the Archipelago: Exploring 10 New Destinations Beyond Bali” revealed the government's hopes to welcome more than 40 million arrivals by 2019, with these numbers distributed to other regions in Indonesia in order to help businesses and environmental sustainability in Bali.
The 10 destinations the government is urging international markets to explore include Lake Toba, Tanjung Kelayang, Mandalika, Wakatobi, Morotai Island, Tanjung Lesung, Pulau Seribu and Kota Tua Jakarta, Borobudur, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru, and Labuan Bajo.
While these destinations have only just begun their life cycle of becoming ideal corporate incentive and business events destinations, numerous efforts are seen to develop the tourism offerings and increase visitor numbers.
The Indonesian Tourism Development Corporations (ITDC) at BBTF introduced the grand vision of Mandalika Resort Lombok, a USD3 billion development project that began in October 2011. Situated on a 1,175 hectare area in Kuta, Central Lombok, the Mandalika Resort will be built as a Special Economic Zone (KEK) to drive economic growth and developed into one of the national tourism icons.
When completed, the luxury Mandalika Resorts development will feature several five≠star hotels, upscale housing developments, a large marina, a golf course, a luxury villa development project and many other amenities. The development of Mandalika would be environmentally sustainable with infrastructure that protects the ecosystem such as Sea Water Desalination System and Solar Power Electricity.
Bali to Banyuwangi and back in four days
To showcase the natural beauty and hospitality attributes beyond Bali, hosted buyers and members of international media went on to partake in a post-show tour across destinations like Lombok, Banyuwangi, Komodo and Toraja. I had the pleasure to join the trip to Banyuwangi with four hosted buyers from India and another two from Malaysia and Ukraine.
Day one
En route to Banyuwangi, the group first headed to Pupuan, an area known for its stunning rice terraces and located in the western part of Bali just 1.5 hours' drive away from Ngurah Rai International Airport. Lunch at the 25-suite Cempaka Belimbing Villas proved to be a
much-needed energy booster for the short hike that followed.
Against the backdrop of Mount Batukaru, the pleasant hike was punctuated with various fruit trees that our knowledgeable guide helpfully pointed out. They include mangosteen, clove, nutmeg, salak, durian, cacao and many other tropical fruit trees.
Day two
Having rested the night before at Puri Bagus Lovina Resort, it was an early rise in the morning as the group hopped on an outrigger boat to catch glimpses of dolphins jumping in the middle of the sea at dawn amid a spectacular sunrise.
After breakfast, the group headed to Plataran Menjangan Resort & Spa for a true environmental experience. Being part of the West Bali National Park, Plataran Menjangan highly values the importance of conserving the environment, which is reflected by its choices in architecture, interior and business operations. Exclusively located within its own individual compound, all villas are made up of a traditional Joglo house, a plunge pool, and a garden. A wooden teak gazebo suitable for intimate events facing Menjangan Island offers fantastic views overlooking Java's mountains. For the best viewing points at Plataran Menjangan, Octagon Ocean Club offers three levels of dining and event spaces.
An approximately three-hour ferry transfer after lunch landed us in Banyuwangi, a regency located at the easternmost end of Java Island serving as a port between Java and Bali.
Day three
A few hours of rest after checking in to Ketapang Indah Hotel later, the group got their adventurous spirits on and headed for a hike up the famous Ijen Crater. Ijen Crater, also known as Kawah Ijen, is known for its mesmerising electric blue fire streaming down the mountain during the night. At the peak during sunrise, one will be hypnotised by the the view of Ijen's turquoise and tranquil but highly toxic lake below. This activity is not for everyone, but definitely worth the effort.
For a less risky activity, head to the Red Island Beach located at the foot of Mount Tumpang Pitu, known for its red soil, surfing activities and tranquil beaches.
Day four
After two days of raw and tropical serenity, the group headed back to Bali for some seafood and time to rest and rejuvenate from all the travelling at Alaya Kuta Hotel before flying back to wherever home is.
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