Jakarta, 22 October 2024 – Desa Bakti BCA, a tourism village fostered by BCA, successfully captured the attention of numerous international travel platforms from various countries, including People's Republic of China, The Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, Jordan, Turkey, The Czech Republic, and Slovakia during the Wonderful Indonesia Travel Fair (WITF) 2024, held from 2–4 October 2024. Tourism industry professionals enthusiastically visited the Desa Bakti BCA booth and engaged in active discussions exploring potential collaborations to expand the village’s opportunities as a promising global tourism destination.
Besides tourism professionals and industry players, Desa Bakti BCA booth at WITF 2024 was also visited by ViceMinister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia Angela Tanoesoedibjo and Director of National Tourism Marketing, Dwi Marhen Yono. WITF 2024 is a strategic event initiated by The Indonesia Tourism Industry Association (GIPI) with the aim of promoting Indonesian tourism to the international stage, bringing together more than 150 travel agent representatives (buyers) from over 30 countries and 170 Indonesian tourism industry players.
BCA Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility EVP Hera F. Haryn stated, “BCA’s commitment to fostering regional economies through Desa Bakti BCA is carried out holistically, from coaching and development to promotion. By involving Desa Bakti BCA in the WITF 2024 event, we hope to broaden promotional opportunities for village tourism on a global scale. The enthusiasm of international tourism industry players for Desa Bakti BCA proves that Indonesian villages have great potential as global tourism destinations. We appreciate the WITF 2024 event for providing a platform for Indonesian tourism to grow, reach international markets, and strengthen its competitiveness on the world stage.”
According to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, as of March 2024, there were 4,812 tourism villages in Indonesia, an increase from 4,674 in 2023. This growth trend is driven by the rural advantage of natural, cultural, and ancestral heritage, offering tranquility and peace away from the hustle and bustle of city life, including for thematic travel. The rising popularity of the slow living trend, which seeks a quiet, more harmonious, and nature-connected environment, has also increased the desire to visit rural areas. The potential of tourism villages can also be harnessed as a source of foreign exchange, strengthening local economies and improving the welfare of the communities within them.
BCA brought five of its fostered villages to promote their tourism and regional richness at WITF 2024, namely: Kampung Adat Nagari Sijunjung Tourism Village, West Sumatra; Taro Tourism Village, Bali; Bilebante Green Tourism Village, Lombok; Tamansari Tourism Village, Banyuwangi; and Wukirsari Wayang Tourism Village, Yogyakarta. Each Desa Bakti BCA offers holiday packages for tourists, such as 'Spiritual Journey for The Mind, Body, and Soul of Indonesian Way of Life' and 'Explore Desa Wisata.' These tour packages are designed to offer experiences rich in culture and breathtaking natural beauty, which drawinternational tourists.
Kampung Adat Nagari Sijunjung Tourism Village
This village showcases the unique Minangkabau culture through 76 traditional houses (rumah gadang), symbolizing the maternal lineage and clan , a distinctive tradition of Sijunjung. The offered tourism package includes a homestay where visitors experience the uniqueness of sleeping on straw-filled mattresses presented in a traditional way. Rich in historical, cultural, and traditional values, Kampung Adat Nagari Sijunjung was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015.
Taro Tourism Village
Located in Bali, Taro Village holds high cultural value, with historical relics like Pura Agung Gunung Raung. Additionally, visitors can experience unique offerings at Semara Ratih Delodsema Village, with views of traditional Balinese homes and participation in local activities such as gold and silver crafts, sculpture, and Balinese carvings. Surrounded by stunning natural scenery, Taro is the only village in Bali that has a conservation area for white cattle.
Bilebante Green Tourism Village
Bilebante, one of the villages in Central Lombok, is rich in natural beauty and unique culture, located near the Mandalika MotoGP area. Attractions include outbound activities, cycling and ATV rides through rice fields, traditional Bilebante-style spas, homestays, and cooking classes with village atmosphere at the Pancingan Market.
Tamansari Tourism Village
Known for producing rubber, cloves, coffee, and cocoa, Tamansari Village is also rich in flora, fauna, and home to the Kawah Ijen Natural Tourist Park. With abundant natural resources and spices, tourists can enjoy the scenic beauty while sampling a wide variety of local culinary delights.
Wukirsari Wayang Tourism Village
Located in Yogyakarta, Wukirsari Village is already known as a wayang destination, attracting both domestic and international visitors, including from Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, and Japan, who have learned the art of wayang in the village. The village offers interactive experiences such as making wayang, playing gamelan, watching wayang performances, and staying in homestays owned by wayang artisans.
Not only presenting 5 Bakti Villages, BCA is also fully involved in the implementation of the Wonderful Indonesia Travel Fair 2024. BCA’s participation in this event reflects the corporation’s commitment to supporting Indonesia’s tourism sector, promoting economic growth, improving community welfare, and enhancing Indonesia’s positive image as a top global destination. “We are very proud to have been trusted to support the Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Fair 2024. This collaboration is a manifestation of BCA's commitment to supporting tourism in Indonesia and the economic growth of rural communities. The end of WITF 2024 is not the end of our efforts. Instead, it is the beginning to continue collaborating and innovating in creating greater opportunities for the tourism sector and the people of Indonesia,” concluded BCA Partnership Solutions Development and Banking Transactions EVP, Hendra Tanumihardja.
Picture Information 1:
International Tourism Industry Enthusiasm Fills BCA Bakti Village Booth at WITF 2024 - The Vice Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, Angela Tanoesoedibjo (center), visited the Desa Bakti BCA booth at the Wonderful Indonesia Travel Fair (WITF) 2024 on Wednesday (2/10) at Swissôtel Jakarta PIK Avenue. WITF 2024 is an event initiated by The Indonesia Tourism Industry Association (GIPI), aims to enhance Indonesia’s tourism promotion on the internationall stage. BCA’s participation in this event demonstrates the company’s commitment to expanding tourism opportunities for Desa Bakti BCA and other villages in Indonesia to international tourists, while also building a positive image of Indonesia as a premier global tourism destination.
Picture Information 2 & 3:
Promoting to International Markets, 5 Desa Bakti BCA Showcase Their Charm at WITF 2024 - Several travel agent operators were seen crowding the Desa Bakti BCA booth. BCA invited five of its fostered villages to participate in WITF 2024: Sijunjung Cultural Tourism Village, Padang; Taro Tourism Village, Bali; Bilebante Green Tourism Village, Lombok; Tamansari Tourism Village, Banyuwangi; and Wukirsari Wayang Tourism Village, Yogyakarta. Each of these Desa Bakti BCA offers attractive holiday packages for tourists, such as the "Spiritual Journey for The Mind, Body, and Soul of Indonesian Way of Life" and "Explore Desa Wisata". These tour packages are designed to provide a rich cultural experience and the breathtaking beauty of rural Indonesia, which draw international tourists.
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About PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (As of 30 September 2024)
BCA is one of the leading commercial banks in Indonesia with the core business of transaction banking. BCA also offers a full range of financial services in consumer, SME, commercial and corporate segments. By the end of September 2024, BCA has the privilege of serving more than 40 million customer accounts, processing around 97 million daily transactions through a network of 1,257 branches, 19,439 ATMs as well as internet & mobile banking services, and Halo BCA contact center that can be accessed 24 hours. BCA’s presence is complemented by a number of subsidiaries focusing on vehicle financing, sharia banking, securities, general and life insurance, digital bank, remittance as well as venture capital business. BCA is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, putting people first, and making a positive impact on society at large. With more than 27,000 employees, BCA's vision is to be the bank of choice and a major pillar of the Indonesia economy.
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