AIS Forum 2023 Ignites Bali’s Tourism Sector and Sustainability Initiatives

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The inauguration of the MICE event “AIS Forum 2023” has marked a significant milestone, extending its invitation to participants from 51 island and archipelago nations across the globe. This development is believed to have a positive ripple effect on Bali’s thriving tourism sector. The insights shared by Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, and Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, are illuminating.

Minister Sandiaga Uno articulated that the impact of this event is poised to be momentous, evident in the remarkable surge in hotel occupancy rates in Nusa Dua and its neighboring areas. His remarks during the “AIS Forum 2023” press conference held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at the Bali Nusa Dua Conference Center (BNDCC), shed light on the palpable transformation this event is expected to bring.

Yet, quantifying the exact influence is a matter for further calculation. Minister Sandiaga Uno estimated that the financial implications could range from an impressive 1.5 million to 2 million US dollars. This projection is rooted in the average spending of international tourists per visit, set at 1,500 US dollars.

The significance of this MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) event, encompassing participation from over 50 countries and drawing an estimated total of 1,000 participants, cannot be overstated. The multifaceted impact it promises extends far beyond the confines of accommodation facilities.

Minister Sandiaga Uno emphasized that this impact is poised to be all-encompassing, leaving no sector untouched, including the burgeoning Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). A noteworthy anecdote shared by Minister Sandiaga highlighted the discerning purchasing power of an official from Papua New Guinea, who invested in creative economy products created by Balinese artists. This purchase included a painting valued at a substantial 15,000 US dollars.

This anecdote reinforces the notion that MICE tourists, with their penchant for high-quality spending, wield the potential to significantly bolster the local economy. Such instances underscore the event’s role as an economic catalyst, particularly for local artisans and creative entrepreneurs.

The significance of the AIS Forum 2023 extends further, as it also serves as a gateway to promoting domestic investment in the realm of sustainable tourism. In an era marked by growing environmental consciousness, this forum is a platform to discuss and stimulate investments that prioritize environmental sustainability.

AIS Forum 2023 encompasses an array of side events attended by numerous investors, a testament to the forum’s allure for those looking to engage in the dynamic landscape of sustainable tourism.

From a global perspective, the requirement for financial investments to fortify sustainable tourism approximates a staggering 100 billion US dollars. In tandem with this global commitment, Indonesia has charted an ambitious target, seeking investments ranging from 6 to 8 billion US dollars dedicated to fostering sustainable tourism.

However, the AIS Forum 2023 is not solely about financial investments and economic advantages. It aspires to transcend conventional paradigms by championing the concept of the “blue economy.”

The blue economy is a forward-looking, sustainable economic model that emphasizes the responsible and regenerative use of aquatic resources and ecosystems. In addition, the forum acknowledges the pressing need for the tourism sector to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change, underlining the importance of resilience in the face of such environmental shifts.

At the forefront of this dialogue, Minister Sandiaga Uno has underscored the integral role played by the forum, emphasizing its potential to serve as a catalyst for change, especially in the realm of economic sustainability and environmental responsibility. The forum aspires to bring about a shift in the narrative, moving toward a more ecologically conscious, economically viable, and culturally enriching form of tourism.

The event’s significance cannot be overstated, and its implications extend far beyond its immediate proceedings, setting the stage for a future characterized by sustainable and resilient tourism that upholds the principles of the blue economy.

Accompanying Minister Sandiaga during this pivotal event are esteemed figures, including Deputy of Industry and Investment at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Rizki Handayani, and Head of the Communications Bureau at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, I Gusti Ayu Dewi Hendriyani.

Their presence further underscores the importance of this forum, uniting various stakeholders in a concerted effort to pave the way for a more sustainable and responsible tourism industry.