Environmental Issues Become a Key Topic at BBTF 2025
visitorsguidetobali.com – During the event, Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2025 recieved a lot of support including from The Governor of Bali.
On his visit, Bali Governor Wayan Koster expressed his admiration for the event’s theme, which focuses on preserving nature and culture. “This aligns perfectly with the vision of the Bali Provincial Government, namely Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali,” he said during a press conference.
Wayan Koster also addressed several issues related to Bali’s tourism, including waste management, traffic congestion, and misbehaving tourists. He stated that he is directly leading the relevant departments to take appropriate and concrete action. Regarding waste, for instance, Koster emphasized that it must be handled at its source—whether at schools, government offices, traditional markets, cafés, or hotels.
At the community level, the government has initiated an incentive program for villages that successfully manage their waste independently. These incentives will be awarded at the end of the year. This initiative aims to encourage community participation in environmental preservation, especially in waste management and, more specifically, plastic waste.
Meanwhile, I Wayan Sumandia, a representative from Furama Resort & Villas Ubud, responded to the governor’s statement by confirming that his hotel has been independently managing its waste since 2010. He added that the hotel team has also been educating the surrounding Banjar (village community) on waste management initiatives. “And this continues to this day, thanks to the full support of the local Banjar community,” he said.
On another note, I Wayan Maja, a member of ASITA (Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies) and an environmental activist with Trash Hero, suggested the establishment of refill stations to reduce the use of plastic packaging. “ASITA members should start using reusable drinking bottles, or tumblers, as a replacement for bottled plastic water,” he added. ***