Bali Tourism Board (BTB) in collaboration with Dutch’s Center for Development on Import from Developing Countries (CBI) is planning to conduct tourism training for management of small hotels, restaurants, and other tourism related enterprises. The event is scheduled to take place between May 18th and 20th 2009 at Resor Seminyak.

BTB Chairman Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya informed that the communication with CBI was innitiated by a meeting between BTB and CBI in ITB Berlin back in March 2009. Originally named Centrum tot Bevovderring van de Import uito ontivikkelingslanden, CBI is Dutch’s government agency dealing with development of export products in developing countries.

“The activity is a BTB’s program in its effort to improve tourism human resource in Bali to help the island getting better position in global tourism market”, said Gus Ngurah in a press release in Denpasar. Accompanying him in the briefing were BTB’s VP of Public Relation, Al Purwa, BTB’s VP on Human Resource Development, Nyoman Suwidjana, BEDO’s Jeff Kristianto, and Bali Village’s Gilda Sagrado.

Al Purwa who also serves as Dutch’s Honorary Consul in Bali said that the training will bring significant impact for Bali tourism. In addition to in depth knowledge in business management and product development from two European trainers, participants are also getting better understanding about characteristics and trends of European market, allowing them to be ale to survive the competition.

After participated and graduated from the training, participants will get five years financial assistance from the European Union to enter EU markets such as France, UK, Germany, and Holland which are also among the main feeders for Bali tourism. “It is a very good opportunity for small hotels and travel agents”, said Al Purwa.

CBI has extensive experience in coaching small and medium enterprises in developing countries. In handicraft industry there are a number of Bali small enterprises which have successfully entered EU market by assistance of CBI’s representation agency Bali Export Development Organization (BEDO). EU has a significant market of 460 million wealthy population.

Participants are only charged at a small Rp. 250,000 fee as a token of their commitment. Those interested in joining the event are invited to contact BTB Secretariat at Jalan Raya Puputan No. 41, Renon, Denpasar (tel. no. 0361-2356000). “As we are concern about evenly spreading opportunity throughout the island, we prioritize those coming from north and east Bali”, Gilda said.