DENPASAR – In anticipation of the upcoming Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2026, the Bali chapter of the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) has officially launched the Road to BBTF 2026, marking a key moment of consolidation between industry stakeholders and government in strengthening Bali and Indonesia’s competitiveness in the global tourism market.
The Road to BBTF 2026 press conference was held on Monday, March 30, 2026, with the main event venue to be announced in due course. BBTF 2026 itself is scheduled to take place in May 2026 in Bali.
This year’s event will carry the theme “Redefining Indonesia’s Gastronomy Journey: A Celebration of Taste, Culture, and Sustainable Heritage.” The theme highlights Indonesia’s strategic shift toward prioritizing high-quality tourism experiences, cultural richness, and measurable sustainability practices.
Gastronomy has been chosen as the central narrative, as it represents a powerful intersection of identity, tradition, community, and creative economic value—making it a key driver in strengthening Indonesia’s tourism positioning.
Building on the success of BBTF 2025, the 2026 edition targets the participation of approximately 400 buyers from 47 countries and 250 sellers, reflecting strong global confidence in Indonesia as a leading tourism destination.
However, organizers emphasize that sustainable growth in tourism is not solely defined by transaction figures. The readiness of destinations to address critical issues such as cleanliness, governance, traffic congestion, and tangible commitments to sustainability will be decisive factors moving forward.
Chairman of the BBTF 2026 Organizing Committee and Head of ASITA Bali, I Putu Winastra, stressed that Road to BBTF 2026 serves as both a moment of reflection and a call for collective action. “Without strong collaboration and real action on the ground in tackling waste management and traffic congestion, we risk losing market trust. BBTF is not merely a business platform—it reflects the readiness of our destination. The world is watching how Bali manages itself,” he stated.
He further underlined the need for coordinated efforts involving the Bali Provincial Government, regency and city administrations, as well as all tourism stakeholders to ensure that improvements are systematic, consistent, and sustainable.
In terms of market focus, BBTF 2026 will continue to target traditional markets such as Western Europe, Australia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, while expanding into emerging markets including the Middle East and India, known for their high-spending travelers and growing interest in experiential tourism.
One of BBTF’s key advantages compared to other international travel trade shows lies in its familiarization trips and post-event tours. These programs allow buyers not only to conduct business meetings but also to experience firsthand the quality of destinations, tourism products, and service readiness.
Participants will engage directly with a comprehensive tourism ecosystem, including destination management companies (DMCs), hotels, attractions, and culture- and gastronomy-based tourism products. This approach strengthens transaction credibility and reinforces Bali’s position as a leading tourism hub in Indonesia and a gateway for promoting destinations beyond Bali.
At the national level, BBTF 2026 aligns with the strategic programs of Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism, which continues to promote integrated tourism campaigns through participation in global travel trade shows, the advancement of quality tourism initiatives, and market diversification.
Through Road to BBTF 2026, ASITA Bali also calls for stronger alignment between international promotion efforts and improvements in local destination management. Infrastructure development, integrated waste management, transportation systems, and cross-regional coordination are seen as critical to maintaining global market trust.
More than just an annual industry event, BBTF 2026 represents a collective commitment to ensuring that Bali remains relevant, competitive, and sustainable amid intensifying global competition.
With solid collaboration, concrete actions on the ground, and full support from all stakeholders, Bali remains optimistic about sustaining its position as Indonesia’s leading tourism destination and a trusted partner in the global tourism market. **
