The 7th Bali Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) will be held again on June 8-12, 2021 at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) Nusa Dua, Badung. Even though it is still amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the BBTF as a business-to-business (B2B) meeting in the national and international tourism industry is deemed important to be held even though it is full of adjustments because the tourism industry is the heartbeat of Bali, Indonesia’s tourism gateway must still be guarded strategically. This was conveyed by Chairperson of the BBTF 2021 Committee, I Ketut Ardana, at the Talk Show and Press Conference entitled the Road to BBTF 2021 at the Westin Hotel-Nusa Dua on Saturday (May 8).

Furthermore, Ketut Ardana stated that up to now there are 64 buyers who have registered and have confirmed their attendance in person. Meanwhile, for this year’s target, it is targeting 125 sellers from Bali and all over Indonesia who will contribute. As for buyers, he hoped that there will be 150 buyers from 20 countries who will register either online or offline. “This year, the most buyers come from Indonesia, United Kingdom, Australia, France, America and Asia. Until now, 64 buyers who have confirmed their participation will attend offline. However, this year’s target is less than the previous year, but we still have to do it,” he said.

Ardana added that this year’s BBTF with the theme “Exploring Sustainable & Wellness Tourism” is expected to be a communication effort and a bridge to revive the post-pandemic tourism economy and promote the chain of destinations and sustainable tourism products.

Responding to this, Deputy Governor of Bali Tjokorda Oka Ardana Sukawati stated that so far the BBTF has played an important role in delivering information and education to the public and foreign colleagues (buyers) who will send tourists to Indonesia. This year’s BBTF is still in a pandemic atmosphere, and will be implemented in a hybrid manner (online and offline).

Hopefully, it can again remind the market that Bali still exists and is still improving itself. In addition, the BBTF 2021 is also expected to introduce exhibitors (sellers) with the concept of sustainable tourism and the development of wellness and health tourism.“The appearance of new destination products is a strategic measure that must be aimed at encouraging the movement of domestic and global tourists in utilizing quality destinations, facilities and services,” he said.

Furthermore, Cok Ace added that the large level of dependence of the Bali’s economy on the tourism sector, in the short term the pattern of economic recovery. Bali depends on the visit of domestic tourists. Then, with the various measures having been taken by the government at this time, both by vaccinating and establishing a green zone, Bali can quickly open the state borders. (BTN/014)