Badung, August 21, 2025 — The World Bank hosted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) titled “Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) – Tourism Sector Indonesia” at Fairfield by Marriott Bali Legian on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The event forms part of the World Bank’s ongoing Country Private Sector Diagnostic study, which aims to identify opportunities and challenges for private sector investment in Indonesia, particularly within the tourism industry.

The discussion brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO), the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), as well as several hotel and villa operators across Bali. The Bali Villa Rental Management Association (BVRMA) was represented by Mr. Kadek Adnyana, Chairman of BVRMA, and Mr. Agung Juliarta.

During the interactive session, participants exchanged insights on various topics such as private investment potential in tourism, sustainable hospitality practices, and strategies to maintain Indonesia’s competitiveness in the global tourism market.

Mr. Kadek Adnyana, Chairman of BVRMA, emphasized that Bali’s true strength lies not only in its natural beauty but also in its rich cultural heritage and the character of its people.

“Tourists come to Bali because they are attracted by several factors — the environment, the culture, and so on. In terms of natural scenery, some destinations in Indonesia like Lombok and Labuan Bajo may compete, but to this day, Bali’s culture remains unrivaled. Indeed, Bali has the advantage of being a ‘superhub,’ where everything is easily accessible, but I must remind everyone that tourists come to Bali because they are drawn to our culture,” said Mr. Kadek Adnyana.

Participants echoed the importance of balancing tourism growth and investment with the preservation of local traditions and cultural identity.

The FGD also served as a valuable opportunity for the World Bank team to hear directly from tourism industry stakeholders about policy realities, challenges, and opportunities on the ground. Insights from this discussion will contribute to the Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) report, which is expected to provide strategic recommendations for both the government and the private sector to enhance Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness.

The session concluded with a group photo and a shared commitment to continue strengthening collaboration between the public sector, private investors, and international institutions in promoting inclusive, sustainable, and culture-based tourism development in Indonesia.