Bali News

Efforts to increase low utilization of European tourism market is currently being made by the Eropean side. Training program conducted by CBI in collaboration with Bali Tourism Board (BTB) and Bali Village financed by Dutch government is expected to bridge buyers and sellers. Fifteen small and medium enterprises (UKM) were trained and educated about European market.

“CBI’s program for tourism UKMs in Bali is actually the first event conducted by CBI in indonesia as previousl events were mostli orientated to export-import”, said BTB spokesman Aloysius Purwa on the closing ceremony of CBI’s training for Bali tourism UKMs, which was expected to facilitate Bali tourism to expand their outreach in European market.

CBIs presence in Indonesia has been innitiated back in 70s, but only enter tourism sector this year. CBI was innitialy dedicated to serve as a bridge connecting exporter and importer through Rotterdam, the largest entryway to European market. “Rotterdam is the most important point to enter European market”, Al Purwa said. Every products has to pass through Rotterdam before entering Europe.

Al Purwa expected that the first CBI event for tourism industry is expected to increase European tourist visits to Indonesia, especially Bali. At the moment anual visit of European tourists is recording at hundred thousands, very low compared to hundred million of potentials. He regretted that UKM could not utilize the such potential. “It is a pity that we let such a significant potential remains unused”, said Purwa who also chairs Bali chapter of Asita, Indonesian association of travel agents.

With quite a short period of socialization, most likely there are many UKM did not even aware of the program. However, the program will run for at least five years, and therefore there are still plenty of chance for more UKMs to take the benefit of the program.

Kadek Dwi Budaya, a participant from Puri Kelapa admitted that the program gave a lot of benefits. So far Puri Kelapa is focusing to retirees segment. “Retiree has a very short season spanning only a few months per year, leaving the hotel empty for the rest of the year”, Dwi said. The training exposed that European market has many other segments which can potentially fill the vacant period. “European market offer very good opportunity to Bali tourism industry”, Dwi added.