June 2016, Nusa Dua, Bali… “Meet, Connect and Explore The Archipelago” is the theme of Bali and Beyond Travel Fair 2017 (BBTF), the biggest annual travel fair in Indonesia. This year, the event is co hosted by South Sumatera and focusing more and more about introducing Indonesia to the world with some interesting upgrade to the number of the buyers and exhibitors as well as to the program. The annual travel fair is held in Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center starting from 7th to 11th June 2017, which the very first day was dedicated for registration and preparation. The Opening Ceremony is held in the evening, 8Th June 2017, at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park.
Prior to the Opening Ceremony a Press Conference was organized in this afternoon and was attended by Ketut Ardana (Chairman of BBTF 2017 & Head of ASITA Bali), Prof. I Gde Pitana (Deputy of Overseas Tourism Development at the Ministry of Tourism of Republic of Indonesia), A.A Gede Yuniartha Putra (Head of Bali Tourism Office), Alex Noerdin (Governor of South Sumatera), I Made Badra (Representative of Badung Regency), Asnawi Bahar (President of ASITA Indonesia), Ruedi Nutzi (Representative of Swiss Contact), Ida Bagus Sidharta (Chairman GIPI Bali),
Ketut Ardana, the Chairman of BBTF 2017 explained, “BBTF 2017 has been through some upgrade. Not only the increase in term of the number of the buyers and sellers, but we also dedicated special space for the 10 new Bali destination. During this event we also have arranged post tour to Gili Trawangan, Mandalika, Komodo, and Bromo. And this morning we also had a visit to John Hardy workshop. Prior the event we had a pre-tour to Labuan Bajo.” Besides those, BBTF 2017 visitor can expect spectacular new looks as most of exhibitors elaborate their booths visually. Exhibitors are also given an opportunity of one hour presentation to the visiting media, a great chance to share update and others newsworthy information.
“I have seen numbers of improvement in the 4th year of BBTF. But in the future se should invite sellers and buyers from overseas so this event can become an international event,” Mr. Pitana expressed his hope for the next BBTF. This year BBTF brings 264 tour operators as potential buyers from 54 countries including Australia; Rusia and others European countries; China, Singapore, and other Asian countries; United Arab Emirates and others delegations from Middle East. Those esteemed buyers are planned to meet 188 sellers from 19 provinces in Indonesia.
Another fresh sight is special booth of 10 New Priority Destination Beyond Bali where visitors can get an in depth information regarding the tourism potentials of areas. This tourism development program that set by the government aims to unfold tourism potentials in Indonesia besides those that already known worldwide.
Prior to the Press Conference BBTF Tourism Seminar 2017 with a theme ”IND-ONE-SIA IS THE ONE” is held today at Nusa Dua Hall 1 at from 1pm to 4 pm. The seminar presented 5 key speakers, who are Prof. I Gede Pitana (Deputy Minister for international marketing at Ministry of Tourism of Republic of Indonesia), Ruedi Nutzi (Representative of Swiss Contact), Dr. Drs. H. Akhmad Najib, SH., M.Hum (Assistant of Government Affairs & Community Welfare South Sumatera Province), Polly Purser ( Director of Heritage, Hospitality and Public Affairs at John Hardy), Seno Andhikawanto (Representative Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park) and I Made Badra (Representative Badung Regency).
To end the day, all participants are expected at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park at 18:30 p.m. for Welcome Dinner and Opening Ceremony.
