0 BBTF set as travel promotion

Bali Tourism Promotion Board (BPPD) has set Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) as its prime tourism promotion program for 2014, despite uncertain funding. Bagus Sudibya, one of BPPD’s executive board members, explained the BPPD had not received any confirmation about funding, which was supposed to be allocated from the annual provincial budget (APBD). Based on a ministerial decree, the tourism promotion board will be funded by the state budget at the national level and by provincial budgets at the provincial level. 

“Up to the present, we have not received any clear information regarding funding. The BPPD cannot implement any of its programs without clarification from the provincial administration,” Sudibya said. The BPPD was established by the provincial administration to enhance tourism promotion of Bali in the domestic and international markets. The board was also expected to integrate various promotional efforts to ensure greater efficiency and innovation. 

“The BPPD planned to organize Bali and Beyond Travel Fair in June. We hope we have adequate funds to implement this program,” Sudibya said. The BBTF was initiated by the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA) Bali and is one of BPPD’s initial promotional programs. “We badly need financial support for the program, which will have a long-term impact on Bali’s tourism in particular and Indonesian tourism in general,” he said. 

The BPPD has already started publicizing the program to potential buyers and sellers from local and international tourist agencies. BPPD’s chairman, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, or Cok Ace, said that funding for BPPD would come from the provincial budget and the private sector. “But when we asked about the funding allocation from the 2014 annual budget, the administration said it did not have enough funds to support the BPPD. 

This is really strange as the BPPD was established by the government,” he said. Regardless of the limited funding, the BPPD would fully support the travel fair. “This is a very important travel event to attract local and international buyers and sellers to promote Bali and other places in Indonesia,” Cok Ace said. ASITA’s chairman, I Ketut Ardana, said he had already informed the Bali governor, as well as the Tourism and Creative Economy Minister, of the plan. 

“It is expected that the province and the ministry will lend a hand and provide financial assistance to support Bali and Beyond Travel Fair,” Ardana said. The BBTF will be a large-scale travel mart held in Bali to promote the island and other destinations in Indonesia. The event, scheduled to be held in Nusa Dua and Kuta from June 10 - 14, will involve 500 participants comprising 100 international buyers, 200 domestic buyers and 200 domestic sellers.

source : bali daily