Promoting Bali And Lombok, Kemenpar Invites Indian KOL FAM Trip

JAKARTA - As an effort to increase tourist visits from South Asia, especially India to Indonesia, the Ministry of Tourism held a FAM Trip for Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) from India, to introduce and promote North Bali, East Bali and Lombok.

Minister of Tourism (Menpar) Widiyanti Putri, in a statement in Jakarta, Tuesday (10/12/2024) explained that this activity is a collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and MakeMyTrip, which is one of the largest Online Travel Agents (OTA) in India in order to promote Bali and Beyond destinations.

This FAM Trip with MakeMyTrip is a long-term investment in efforts to build globally competitive tourism. By making Indonesia the destination of choice for Indian tourists, one of the world's largest outbound markets, this program will help strengthen the tourism sector as the main driver of the national economy. This is in line with the target of Indonesia Gold 2045 to become a developed country, where the tourism sector plays an important role in economic diversification, job creation, and strengthening Indonesia's positive image in the international world," said Menpar Widiyanti.

Plt. The Deputy for Marketing of the Ministry of Tourism, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, said that FAM Trip was held on December 4-11, 2024 in Lombok and Bali. Participants who participated consisted of 4 KOL from India, namely Bhavini Narestkumar Purohit (IG @purohitbhavini), and Dhaval Praskah Dave (IG @dhavalmavreck) who are couples of KOL, as well as Anvit Oberoi (IG @anvitoberoi), and Srishti Mehta (IG @ grudand_) who are KOL _millennials.

The implementation of the FAM Trip KOL is focused on capturing the segmentation of honeymoners and millennials from India, which is quite large. In addition, FAM Trip this time also has a mission to introduce new attractions and destinations in North Bali, East Bali, and Lombok.

South Bali has become a destination that is very well known to foreign tourists, especially India. Through this FAM Trip, we want to introduce North Bali and East Bali which are no less charming. Apart from Bali, we also want to introduce the Lombok destination which is one of the Super Priority Tourism Destinations. They can add Lombok on their tourist trip, because it is very close to Bali, it only takes 45 minutes to use a plane, "said Made.

Ni Made added that the implementation of FAM Trip this time was supported by various stakeholders of the Indonesian tourism industry, namely A&T Holidays, Tria Uma Tours & Travel Tour, Luxury Bali Tours, The Kayana Beach Lombok, The Westin Resort & SPA Ubud, W Bali Seminyak, and Plataran Indonesia.

FAM Trip participants arrived in Indonesia on December 4, 2024 and spent the night at The Kayana Beach Lombok which is close to Kecinan Beach in North Lombok which is surrounded by crystal-sharing waters, natural sandy beaches, and landscape parks. At that destination, the participants can rest comfortably and experience a luxury resort facility with a private villa concept while enjoying sea views and beach waves.

In Lombok, participants were invited to visit Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air to experience snorkeling in clear blue waters around the Gili Islands. These three locations offer a very beautiful underwater landscape, where the coral park around the island is filled with marine life, including butterfly fish, damselfish, bedfish, banty fish, anemon fish, zebra lion, mantis shrimp, starfish, and turtles. Even in Gili, the participants can witness the beauty of the Nest statue under the sea by Jason deCaires Taylor, the famous British preacher.

Participants were also invited to witness the beauty of Sendang Gile waterfall in North Lombok, to experience the natural beauty at the foot of Mount Rinjani with a stretch of green forests, cool air and refreshing water.

Arriving in Bali, the participants went straight to The Westin Resort & Spa Ubud. In Ubud, some participants had the opportunity to ride an ATV and try the Bali Swing attraction while enjoying the view of the most frequent rice fields typical of the Tegallalang area.

While in Bali, participants were divided into two groups, namely pairs and single travelers with different activities to target the honeymoon and millennial travel segments.

KOL couple visited one of the oldest and holiest temples in East Bali, namely Penataran Agung Lempuyang Temple. Known as the "Green Gate," this temple offers a magnificent view of Mount Agung which is often the background of iconic photos.

Still in the East Bali region, participants were invited to visit Tirta Ganga, a water park built in 1948 by Raja Anak Agung Karangasem. Known as a clear pool, a graded fountain, and a view of rice fields, this place combines the beauty of architecture, nature, and history, making it a mandatory destination in Bali.

In addition, participants were also invited to visit Penglipuran Tourism Village which offers a traditional atmosphere with typical Balinese architecture houses neatly arranged along main roads and tours driving VW Safari.

Single traveler KOL participants are invited to visit the temple on a lake, namely Ulu Danu Besaan Temple in Bedugul and continue their journey in North Bali to the iconic gate with a beautiful hill background, Handara Gate, and visit Bali Farmhouse where participants can interact with various animals.

Participants then continued their visit to Puri Saren Agung Ubud and explored the Ubud Art Market. Participants also experienced spending the night at Plataran Ubud, with the landscape of rice fields and greenness of the Ubud landscape, as well as enjoying a typical Balinese spa treatment, and ending with a star-based dinner (dine under the stars).

The following day, participants were invited to explore Nusa Penida Island and witness the beauty of Kelingking Beach, Angel Billabong, and Broken Beach in the West as well as the Five King, Atuh Beach and Diamond Beach in the east. Towards the southern part of Bali, groups participating in an adventure couple in Tanjung Benoa enjoy water sports activities, visit the unique Tanah Barak Beach with towering cliffs and watch the Uluwatu Kecak Dance with a sunset background. Meanwhile, other groups of participants enjoyed the beauty of the sunset at Tanah Lot Temple, a series of travel tourism activities which were then closed with a holiday dinner at the Atlas Beach Club.

Director of Regional Tourism Marketing I of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Wisnu Sindhutrisno, said that the collaboration between Kemenpar and MakeMyTrip is expected to continue to maintain a good Indonesian tourism image for Indian market tourists.

"This activity is expected to encourage an increase in the number of foreign tourists from India, introduce various tourist destinations in Indonesia, and make Indonesia the top of the mind for them to vacation, get married or go on a honeymoon, especially in new destinations that continue to grow in North Bali, West Bali and Lombok," said Vishnu.