Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana unveiled this vision at the recent Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) held in Nusa Dua, where she emphasized the need to connect global travelers not just with Bali, but with Indonesia’s rich and diverse destinations.

“BBTF is our gateway to inspire travelers, connect Bali with destinations across Indonesia, and introduce our diversity to the world,” Minister Wardhana told reporters.

While Bali continues to be a globally recognized tourism hotspot, the Minister called for increased promotion of lesser-known regions such as Jembrana and Buleleng in Bali, and Banyuwangi in East Java. She also highlighted the potential of destinations like Sumba, Sumbawa, and the Flores Islands.

By boosting tourism in these areas, the government hopes to improve local economies and create new jobs. “Tourism is not just an industry, it’s a story we share with the world,” Wardhana said. “With optimism, we aim to welcome 60 million tourists to Indonesia.”

This year’s BBTF brought together 529 buyers from 45 countries and 499 seller companies representing 216 exhibitors across 7 nations, including Indonesia, Spain, the U.S., Malaysia, Singapore, Namibia, and Thailand. Wardhana praised the event as a reflection of Indonesia’s commitment to sustainable tourism and its aspiration to become a global travel leader.

With improved domestic flight connections from Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport, travelers can now easily explore more of Indonesia’s islands—from Sumatra and Kalimantan to Nusa Tenggara and Java.

However, travelers are advised to stay alert to potential scams after recent reports of tourist extortion in Sumba. The Ministry has called on tourism operators across the country to protect and respect visitors and maintain a positive travel experience.

Wardhana concluded, “The Ministry will continue to coordinate with regional tourism offices to support local communities and increase tourism awareness throughout the country.”