BNEWS.ID – Fifty-five years is no short journey. This reflection underscored the 55th Anniversary celebration of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) Bali, held on Wednesday (7/10/2025) at the ASITA Bali Office in Denpasar. The milestone served as an important moment to reaffirm ASITA’s role as the frontline advocate for local travel agencies amid the dynamics of global tourism.

Carrying the theme “Realizing Quality and Sustainable Tourism Towards Indonesia Gold 2045,” ASITA’s 55th anniversary was celebrated simultaneously across Indonesia. In Bali, the commemoration carried a strong sense of struggle, particularly in relation to several strategic policies that were eventually approved by the government after a long and persistent process.

Chairman of ASITA Bali Chapter, Putu Winastra, emphasized that the achievements reached today are not instant results, but rather the outcome of consistency, dialogue, and the courage to voice the interests of local tourism businesses.

“Today is a meaningful moment for ASITA to celebrate its anniversary. Fifty-five years of ASITA is a story of spirit, collaboration, and struggle,” Putu Winastra said in his remarks.

Throughout 2025, ASITA Bali has consistently carried out various social initiatives under the banner of ASITA Care. The program reflects the tourism industry’s tangible concern for the community and the environment in Bali. Activities have included assistance for flood victims in Jembrana, support for disaster-affected communities in Sumatra, and beach clean-up actions in several tourist areas. ASITA Bali has also regularly organized blood donation drives and home renovation programs for underprivileged residents in Selat (Karangasem) and Nusa Penida.

One of ASITA Bali’s most significant achievements in 2025 was the government’s approval to change the risk classification of travel agencies (Biro Perjalanan Wisata/BPW) from low risk to medium risk. This policy has a direct impact on the governance of tourism business licensing, particularly in strengthening supervision and legal certainty.

According to Putu Winastra, previously BPWs were categorized as low-risk businesses, resulting in weak oversight of business practices, including potential violations by foreign operators.

“One of the outcomes of our struggle is the approval to place travel agencies at a medium–high risk level, no longer medium–low. This means that applying for travel agency licenses is no longer easy,” said Winastra, who also serves as the Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan for Bali.

With the medium-risk status, travel agencies are now required to meet stricter licensing requirements, including verification of standard operating procedures, legal compliance, and periodic government supervision.

Foreign Tour Operators Must Partner with Local Companies

In line with business risk restructuring, ASITA Bali has also consistently advocated for mandatory cooperation between foreign tour operators and licensed local operators. This policy is considered crucial to prevent illegal business practices, foreign exchange leakage, and excessive foreign dominance that could harm local players.

Winastra explained that foreign operators are not prohibited from operating in Bali, but they must partner with officially licensed local companies.

“This has also been part of our struggle, to ensure that in the future foreign operators work together with licensed local tour operators,” he said.

The policy aligns with ASITA’s involvement in the Foreign Tourist Management Task Force and its contribution to drafting the Bali Provincial Tourism Regulation Bill.

Closing his remarks, Putu Winastra expressed hope that ASITA Bali will continue to serve as a solid home for tourism stakeholders, while remaining a strategic partner of the government in realizing quality and sustainable tourism in Bali.

“The challenges ahead are not light. But with unity, solidarity, and the same fighting spirit, ASITA Bali is ready to continue contributing to Indonesian tourism,” he concluded.

At 55 years old, ASITA Bali is not merely celebrating its age, but reaffirming its identity as an organization that continues to fight for dignity, fairness, and the future of Bali’s tourism industry. (*)