"I received a message from the governor earlier that, after the COVID-19 pandemic, hotel occupancy and tourist arrivals have continued to rise," he said at the 2025 Bali Arts Festival (PKB) in Denpasar on Friday.
"I thank all of you. Let’s keep supporting Bali so that hotel occupancy, tourist numbers, and the overall tourism sector continue to grow," he added.
The Bali Arts Festival is considered one of the key events driving tourist visits, as shown by the large crowds that packed the Ardha Candra Open Stage at Taman Budaya.
"After the pandemic, Bali bounced back quickly. This proves that Bali remains one of the most popular destinations, and the festival is always highly anticipated," Gibran said.
"The festival started at 7 p.m., but the venue was already full by 6 p.m. — a clear sign of public enthusiasm," he observed.
He also encouraged Indonesians to continue supporting local tourism, warning against falling behind other countries in tourism development.
Gibran highlighted that the Bali Arts Festival benefits not only tourism, but also the creative economy, providing a platform for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
"From ride-hailing drivers to hotels, taxis, food vendors, snack stalls, craft shops, and souvenir sellers — everyone is busy. This shows Bali’s economy continues to grow," he said.
He emphasized that strengthening tourism helps advance President Prabowo Subianto’s vision to promote domestic tourism.
"We will keep adding exciting destinations. And once again, thank you to everyone who made today’s event a success," he remarked.
The Bali Arts Festival, now in its 47th year, is also part of the Ministry of Tourism’s Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) calendar.
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Translator: Yoanita Hastryka Djohan
Editor: Anton Santoso
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