Menparekraf: The AIS Forum Summit Has A Positive Impact On Bali Tourism

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) RI Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said the Archipelagic and Island States Forum Summit (AIS Forum) 2023 which was held on October 10-11 had a positive impact on the Bali tourism sector.

"The impact is confirmed to be very significant, especially from the increasing occupancy rate of hotels in Nusa Dua and its surroundings," said Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, October 12.

Sandiaga projects that the impact of the international meeting that invites participation from 51 island and island countries around the world could reach 1.5 million to 2 million US dollars.

This figure is calculated from the estimated average amount of foreign tourist spending per visit of 1,500 US dollars.

"In this event meeting, incentive, convention, and exhibition (MICE), more than 50 countries are involved and it is estimated that there are a total of 1,000 participants, the impact can be very significant," said Sandiaga.

Not only regarding accommodation facilities, Sandiaga believes that the impact will also be wider, including for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

He said one high-ranking official from Papua New Guinea shopped for creative economy products by Balinese artists in the form of paintings for 15 thousand US dollars.

"This shows the high quality (shopping) of MICE tourists, so that it can have a significant impact on the local economy," said Sandiaga.

Sandiaga said, the AIS Forum 2023 Summit also opens opportunities for investment taps for Indonesian tourism, especially for sustainable tourism because these activities are filled with various side events attended by several investors.

Globally, explained Sandi, the investment needed to support sustainable tourism is around 100 billion US dollars.

Meanwhile, Indonesia itself targets the value of investment in sustainable tourism between US$6 billion-8 billion.

"But more than that, what we want to encourage from the Island and Islands State Forum is the realization of blue economy and the readiness of the tourism sector in facing the threat of climate change," said Sandiaga.