Global Tourism Forum Discusses A Collaborative Future In Bali

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Following the success of the G20 Summit, leaders in the tourism sector from across the world met to participate in the Global Tourism Forum. The event was opened by Indonesia’s Minster for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, at the Movenpick Hotel in Jimbaran, Bali.

Leaders from the tourism sector headed to Bali for the conference; 32 international speakers presented their industry insights, as did 20 speakers from across Indonesia. 

The Global Tourism Forum awarded the Indonesia Tourism Forum (ITF) the chance to host the event, and officials worked around the clock to ensure that the major international event was as successful as it could have been. 

The Chair of the ITF, Prof. Dr. Sapta Nirwandar SE, thanked Minster Uno and his teams for running such a successful event alongside the G20 Summit. He wrote in a statement, “I also thank the pioneers of Bali tourism, such as Al Purwa, Paul Tallo, and practitioners Herna Danuningrat, Wiendu Nuryanti, and all the heads of the national tourism industry association who have helped make this event possible and shared their knowledge for the revival of tourism as speakers at this forum.”

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Building on the G20 event that saw world leaders plant mangrove trees in the Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park, the Global Tourism Forum discussed the significance of sustainable tourism. The forum identified that mangroves worldwide should become tourism attractions to help promote environmentally beneficial tourism experiences and increase awareness of the importance of protecting biodiversity. 

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In stark contrast, members also discussed the importance of integrating the digital experience into the future of tourism. Nirwandar said, “In current GTF, we are discussing the future of tourism to make it stronger through collaboration with world tourism institutions to metaverse technology that can be utilized in the tourism industry.” The Indonesian government is already working in partnership with a tech startup who are working to put Bali into the metaverse. 

Bali Twin Metaverse is an innovative start-up looking to build a digital twin of the Island of the Gods. The project is intended to revolutionize how tourists interact with the island of Bali. The Bali Twin Metaverse experience is branded as metatourism and offers gamers and blockchain enthusiasts the chance to explore a play-to-earn, full-scale metaverse replica of Bali. 

The President of the World Tourism Forum Institute, Bulut Bagci, was full of enthusiasm for the future of tourism in Bali. Originally from Turkey, Bagci shared how he has seen for himself how the legacy of the G20 can positively impact the tourism sector of the host country. Turkey hosted the G20 Summit in 2015, and data shows that an additional 45 million international tourists have visited due to the event. 

Bagci said, “I think I am happy because the world recognizes that Indonesia has succeeded in holding the G20”. The conference hosted both in-person and online workshops. While the annual meeting is designed to table discussions and plans, the event is also a platform for trade deals. The conference gives a space for tourism investors, governments, and businesses to get money in motion as quickly as possible. 

Minster Uno spoke openly about the need for greater cooperation and collaboration in the glacial tourism sector. The man behind the new partnership with Airbnb is a vocal advocate for innovation and creativity within the tourism sector.

He said, “We also believe that the local community will help restore tourism, for example, Panglipuran Village, which claims to be the cleanest tourist village in the world. Also, Nglanggeran Yogya tourist village, which is also the world’s best tourist village”. 

As a part of Minster Uno’s National Tourism Awards, Undisan Tourism Village in Bangli Regency in Bali won an impressive third place in the Advanced Tourism Village Category. 

With world leaders like Joe Biden, Justin Treaduau, and Rishi Sunak all publicly expressing how much they enjoyed the G20 Summit in Bali, tourism in Bali has certainly received some impressive endorsements that should translate to greater prosperity in the coming decade.