"Indonesia has extraordinary tourism potential, and the government is committed to continuing to improve the quality of the tourism sector," he said in a video message for the opening of the 2026 Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) in Badung, Bali, on Thursday.
The improvement in the tourism sector is carried out in terms of sustainability, safety, comfort, and authentic tourism to provide a memorable travel experience for tourists.
However, this is believed to be achievable only through collaboration among various elements, including tourism travel operators participating in BBTF 2026.
"I hope BBTF can continue to be a dynamic collaboration platform that can unite various parties from different countries, providing a real impact on the progress of local tourism industry players," Gibran said.
He also encouraged tourism travel players to participate in bringing about a transition in Indonesian tourism that can maintain a balance between economic growth and environmental as well as cultural preservation.
VP Gibran expressed belief that BBTF, which is being attended by 44 countries this year, could help achieve the government's target. The event, having been held 12 times, demonstrates resilience, partnership, and shared confidence in the future of Indonesian tourism.
Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, who attended the opening dinner session in person, added that the government does not want the tourism sector to be only about destinations, but also about economic growth and job creation.
"Tourism is also about regional development, and of course, Indonesia's confidence in the global tourism market," she said.
The minister interpreted the directives of the President and Vice President into concrete steps, namely strengthening promotion, developing quality tourism products, connecting the industry with the international market, and ensuring that tourism growth provides real benefits to the community.
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Translator: Muliantari, Kenzu
Editor: Primayanti
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