balinews Bali should take advantage of hosting the APEC Summit to create benefits for tourism and other economic fields, a prominent island figure said. The summit, taking place in October, will be attended by at least 21 heads of state, including US President Barack Obama. Badung regent AA Gde Agung, who is involved with facility preparations for the event, said around 1,000 CEOs from international corporations would also attend the summit. He hoped Bali would not only be a good host, but also benefit from being the host. Like any other MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) event, the APEC Summit opens the opportunity for hotels businesses, travel agents, tour guides, souvenir makers, food suppliers and many others, to take part. Although the event is being organized by the central government, local industries in Bali could still be involved. “This could be an opportunity to promote Bali’s potential in general, not only its tourism,” the regent said. Denpasar Mayor Ida Bagus Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra told Bali Daily that the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry expected that the city’s annual Sanur Village Festival (SVF) could be held at the same time as the summit, providing an alternative attraction for the delegates to visit. “It will surely be a good chance, and we will fully support it,” he said, adding that he hoped the city’s small and medium enterprises could be promoted at the SVF. He shared a similar opinion that Bali should be able to create business opportunities with the delegates — particularly the island’s businessmen. “Businessmen could have the chance to build new partnerships with their overseas counterparts.” Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, chairman of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association for Bali, who will soon come to the end of his term as Gianyar regent, said the summit provided huge potential benefit for the island’s accommodation businesses. Bali should benefit from APEC Summit | The Jakarta Post
