Tourism Minister emphasises importance of enhancing gastronomic tourism services
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana emphasised the importance of enhancing gastronomic tourism services to strengthen Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness, rooted in culture, traditions, and local wisdom.
On the opening of the Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2026 in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Thursday (28 May), she stated that Indonesia’s receipt of the 2026 The New Destination Champion Award from La Liste in Paris, France, has bolstered its position as a globally recognised culinary destination.
“This achievement is further reinforced by local restaurants such as August in Jakarta and Locavore NXT in Bali being included in this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list,” she said, as quoted in the ministry’s press release confirmed in Jakarta on Friday.
She praised the BBTF 2026, which is themed “Redefining Indonesia’s Gastronomic Journey: A Celebration of Taste, Cultures, and Sustainable Heritage.”
She noted that the theme aligns with global trends towards delivering authentic travel experiences, culinary tourism, and sustainable tourism.
BBTF 2026 showcases gastronomy as a key component of the travel experience, representing culture, history, and traditions.
BBTF 2026 Committee Chair I Putu Winastra stated that the event positions gastronomy as part of a differentiation strategy to strengthen Bali’s position in the global tourism market.
“Through gastronomy, Bali demonstrates that tourism is not just about destinations, but also about culture, communities, and the daily lives of its people,” he said.
He noted that during this period, Bali received 6.95 million foreign tourist arrivals, accounting for nearly 45% of the national total.
“These figures demonstrate that Bali remains strong, trusted, and continues to be Indonesia’s primary tourism magnet,” he added.
He stated that the BBTF would drive tourism growth, benefiting destination managers, businesses, and local communities.
The B2B Travex event within BBTF 2026, he added, presents opportunities to expand market access, strengthen tourism business networks, and develop more competitive travel packages tailored to market demands.
I Putu Winastra said BBTF 2026 attracted 407 buyers from 44 countries and 286 sellers from four countries and 13 Indonesian provinces.
International buyers attending the event can directly witness the readiness of tourism destinations, quality of tourism services, and Indonesia’s cultural richness through post-BBTF 2026 tour programmes.
To support BBTF 2026, the Ministry of Tourism facilitated familiarisation trips to North Sumatra, Yogyakarta, Tanjung Puting, Lombok, and Jakarta.
The programme was attended by 22 participants divided into four travel groups.