AIS Forum Summit Has Positive Impact on Bali Tourism, Minister Says
- VIVA/Maha Liarosh
Nusa Dua – The Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno revealed that the first High-Level Meeting of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum on October 10-11 brought positive impacts on Bali tourism sector.
"The impact seen from an increase in hotel occupancy rates in Nusa Dua and the surrounding area," the Minister said in a official statement on Thursday.
"Also, the positive impact of the international meeting, which invited participation from 51 island and archipelagic countries throughout the world, could reach US$1.5 to US$2 million.
Sandiaga Uno
- tvOne/ Didiet Cordiaz
This figure is calculated from the estimated average amount spent by foreign tourists per visit of US$1,500.
"This MICE (meeting, incentive, convention, and exhibition) involved the participation of more than 50 countries with a total of 1,000 people. The impact is significant (for tourism)," Minister Sandiaga Uno informed.
Apart from accommodation facilities, he highlighted that the impact of the event also reached micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The minister cited as an example that a high-ranking official from Papua New Guinea had even bought a painting from a Balinese artist for US$15 thousand.
"This shows that the spending quality from participants is quite high. It can have a significant impact on the local economy," the Minister remarked.
Archipelagic and Island States or AIS forum summit in Bali
- Arianti Widya
Minister Uno said that the 1st HLM of the AIS Forum also opened up opportunities for investment in Indonesian tourism, especially for sustainable tourism, as the activity had many various side events attended by investors.
The minister stated that the investment needed to support sustainable tourism globally is around US$100 billion. Indonesia is targeting an investment value of US$6-8 billion in sustainable tourism.
"Above all that, with the AIS Forum, we want to realize a blue economy and the readiness of the tourism sector to face the threat of climate change," Minister Uno concluded.
