Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2025 Wrap-Up: A New Milestone in Indonesia’s Tourism
The Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2025 officially concluded on Friday, June 13, marking a remarkable achievement in Indonesia’s tourism sector. The fair generated an estimated transaction value of IDR 7.84 trillion, reflecting a 3% increase compared to last year’s IDR 7.61 trillion.
I Putu Winastra, Chairperson of the Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies Association (Asita) Bali and BBTF 2025 Chairperson, attributed this growth to shifting destination preferences driven by soaring airfare prices. Additionally, the fair attracted buyers from emerging markets eager to deepen their understanding of Indonesia’s diverse tourism products.
“BBTF proudly plays a vital role in Indonesia’s tourism growth by creating a platform that bridges market segments, strengthens partnerships, and showcases the richness of Indonesia’s destinations,” said Winastra. “BBTF continues to be a powerful gateway linking Indonesia with the world, all beginning here in Bali.”
Looking Ahead: BBTF 2026 – A Culinary Celebration
BBTF 2026 is set to unfold from May 28 to 30 at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) in Nusa Dua, embracing the theme “Redefining Indonesia’s Gastronomy Journey: A Celebration of Taste, Culture, and Sustainable Heritage.”
Winastra emphasized that gastronomy transcends mere flavor; it embodies cultural understanding and heritage preservation while championing responsible, sustainable tourism practices. Departing from traditional formats, BBTF 2026 will replace typical talkshows with events kickoff via an exclusive welcome dinner.
“Gastronomy is not just about taste — it’s a way to honor heritage, build connections, and ensure sustainability,” Winastra explained.
Voices from the Fair: Global Buyers Embrace Community-Based Tourism
Among the many international attendees, Sebulon Chiliho Chicalu from Namibia shared his enthusiasm: “This being my first time at BBTF, I gained a fresh perspective on Indonesian tourism, particularly the focus on village and community-based tourism. BBTF has surpassed our business expectations and offered quality prospects, while highlighting environmental stewardship and sustainable travel.”
Impressed by the experience, Chicalu plans to return next year with a larger team of operators and aims to invite Indonesian tourism practitioners to Namibia.
Strengthening Ties: Bilateral Tourism Cooperation
During the event, Asita Bali and the Namibia Tourism Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster bilateral tourism cooperation. This partnership includes familiarization visits, workshops, B2B meetings, media and influencer exchanges, development of new destinations, and collaborative tour packages.
Supporting Sustainable Growth
Ida Ayu Indah Yustikarini, Head of Marketing at the Bali Tourism Office, hailed BBTF as a crucial platform for introducing quality, sustainable destinations. She highlighted BBTF as an educational space where sellers and exhibitors gain valuable insights into market demands.
“As a world-class destination, Bali must maintain its competitive edge. We are promoting cross-regency travel patterns to reduce congestion in popular spots, and BBTF aligns perfectly with this strategy,” she noted.
Global Reach and Diverse Participation
BBTF 2025 attracted over 529 buyers from 45 countries, alongside 499 sellers representing 284 companies from seven nations, including Indonesia, Spain, Malaysia, Singapore, the USA, Namibia, and Thailand.
Eleven Indonesian provinces participated, spanning Bali, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Jakarta, and South Sulawesi. The event featured a mix of talkshows and international B2B tourism exhibitions.
