SANUR, Bali (BPN) – Tourism stakeholders in Bali are ready to support the Toraja and Beyond Tourism Festival (TBTF), which will take place on 24-27 June 2023, in Toraja, South Sulawesi. The festival that is initiated by the Toraja Tourism Board (TTB) is an effort to reorganize and develop the Toraja tourist destinations.
According to Panca Rudolf Sarungu, Chairman of TTB, the TBTF 2023 as a showcase of Toraja’s tourism excellence, is supported by all local stakeholders and is expected to become an annual international event calendar to boost tourist visits to Sulawesi in particular and Indonesia in general.
“We invite colleagues from travel agents in Bali to take part as buyers in the B2B travex session at TBTF2023,” said Panca, during the socialization and discussion with tourism stakeholders in Bali, Sunday (4/30/2023) at Anomali Coffee Sanur, Jalan Danau Tamblingan, Sanur, Bali.
William Sabandar, Chair of the TTB’s Steering Committee, provided motivation for the Bali-Toraja marketing partnership under a mutualism platform.
“We believe tourism products in Toraja can be combined with Bali and as an effort to extend the length of stay of foreign tourists,” he said.
The discussion was attended by representatives of travel agent members of ASITA Bali and several tourism figures, including Ketut Swabawa, Chair of the central executive board (DPP) Association of Hospitality Leaders Indonesia (AHLI).
“Nationally, our tourism needs a balanced distribution of tourists to ensure that regional economic growth is enhanced. For offline travel agents, selling tourism products outside of Bali, such as Toraja, is a breakthrough to expand the products and destinations offered to international business partners and wholesalers. We fully support the TBTF 2023,” said Swabawa, accompanied by Sang Putu Eka Pertama, Head of AHLI Bali.
At the discussion, participants expected tactical action including a tourism map, updated information on land and air access, types of accommodation and supporting facilities, direct local handlers, calendar of events, and even proposing a familiarization trip to help Bali travel agents better understand tourism products.
Meanwhile, I Nyoman Astama, the Managing Director of Pacific Holidays DMC, said that the cooperation between Bali-Toraja business stakeholders could strengthen offline businesses that prioritize personalized services.
“Technology must be balanced with high touch, so offline agents still play an important role in advancing tourism destinations by collaborating in real terms,” said Astama who is also the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Bali.