BADUNG, BALINEWSID.COM – The 12th Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2026 entered its core business phase on Friday (May 29) with the official opening of the B2B Travex and inspection program at the Bali International Convention Centre, The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, marking the start of thousands of business meetings between Indonesian tourism companies and international buyers.

The opening was symbolized by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by BBTF 2026 Chairman and Bali ASITA Chairman, I Putu Winastra, together with Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Agency Head Andhika Permata, and Director General for Information and Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heru H. Subolo, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The event officially launched a series of approximately 1,300 scheduled business appointments involving 286 sellers from 13 Indonesian provinces and 407 buyers representing 44 countries.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Minister Widiyanti toured the exhibition floor, visiting seller booths and reviewing a wide range of tourism products and services on display. The showcased offerings included MICE tourism, wellness experiences, cultural attractions, ecotourism initiatives, and gastronomy-based tourism products from across Indonesia.

Widiyanti emphasized that today’s international travelers are seeking more than just beautiful destinations. According to her, quality services, authentic cultural experiences, and sustainable tourism practices have become increasingly important factors influencing travel decisions.

“B2B Travex at this year’s BBTF plays a crucial role in expanding market access, strengthening business opportunities, and creating stronger collaboration among tourism stakeholders,” she said.

Carrying the theme “Redefining Indonesia’s Gastronomy Journey: A Celebration of Taste, Cultures, and Sustainable Heritage,” BBTF 2026 positions Bali as a meeting point for global buyers, tourism professionals, and cultural diplomacy through Indonesia’s rich culinary heritage.

Organizers selected gastronomy as the event’s central theme because it reflects one of the most natural ways for Bali and Indonesia to connect with international audiences. The concept highlights local ingredients, farming and fishing traditions, traditional markets, and family culinary culture as integral parts of the tourism experience.

BBTF 2026 Chairman I Putu Winastra said the growing number of international flight connections to Bali presents significant opportunities for the tourism industry. However, he stressed that improved accessibility must be accompanied by better destination management and higher-quality tourism products.

According to Winastra, several international airlines have recently launched or strengthened services to Bali, including Jetstar’s Sunshine Coast–Bali and Melbourne Avalon–Bali routes, Virgin Australia’s upcoming Canberra–Bali service, AirAsia’s Bali–Da Nang route, and IndiGo’s expanded Mumbai–Denpasar operations.

“Bali is a living culture, a home, and a shared responsibility. Preserving Bali’s identity requires better destination management, a cleaner environment, stronger mobility, respect for culture, and commitment from all stakeholders,” Winastra said.

Running until May 30, BBTF 2026 remains one of Bali’s most important tourism trade events, aimed at strengthening the island’s position as a high-quality, culture-based, and sustainable destination in an increasingly competitive global tourism market. (*)