As global tourism recovers, the Bali Hotels Association is gearing up for a stronger return in 2022.
“Despite the challenges we have experienced over the past few years, we have persevered and are pushing for greater achievements in the future,” said Bali Hotels Association (BHA) Executive Director Diah Ajung during the Annual General Meeting. AGM) at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali on 9 December 2022. The AGM was well attended by members who received an overview of the Association’s key activities of the last 12 months, while also voting for the new Chairman.
Ajung continues to state, “It is not easy to summarize the achievements of 2022 as actions were reactive and, at times, chaotic. But we were not alone in this and we moved on. There is still much recovery ahead, but as we look to the future with renewed optimism, our focus remains on a stable, thriving industry and a sustainable recovery with partners and stakeholders. Our commitment and efforts remain unwavering and we are very proud of what we have achieved together.”
Fransiska Handoko was re-elected President for 2023
Bali Hotels Association announced the re-election of Fransiska Handoko, CHA., CHIA., CHRM., General Manager of Risata Bali Resort & Spa, as President of the Association for a second term. Fransiska Handoko will chair the Association from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.
“I feel very privileged to have received the trust of our member hotels to continue serving the Bali Hotels Association as Chairman for a second term. This is an exciting time for our industry. The successful G20 meetings are the pinnacle of Bali tourism in 2022 and further assure the world that Bali is ready to welcome travelers to the island,” said Fransiska Handoko.
With 157 members from Bali’s star hotels and resorts, representing 25,825 rooms and 30,474 employees, the BHA cements itself as the trusted voice of the island’s hospitality industry. Recently, BHA was invited by the UNWTO and Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism to speak at the 2022 World Tourism Day Forum – part of the G20 events – about rethinking tourism and governance for recovery. BHA was the only tourism association in Indonesia to receive this opportunity.
“I will continue to express the thoughts and feedback of the association and work closely with every tourism stakeholder for the betterment of the tourism industry in Bali,” Fransiska Handoko said.
BHA Continues to Drive Sustainability as Top Agenda
BHA envisions 2023 as the new era of tourism in Bali, which focuses on quality tourism, and thus continues to champion service excellence and sustainability practices in the industry. Over the years, BHA has actively participated in shaping the tourism landscape in Bali through long-term educational opportunities, effective hotel-government relations and various initiatives such as the Sustainable Food Festival, zero waste campaigns and working with local producers to minimize the environment . impact.
“Working towards 2023, sustainability remains at the top of our agenda. We aim for every member hotel to better manage its waste, energy and water. BHA continues to push members and partners to adopt sustainable business practices and encourage creative ways to operate more efficiently and effectively, and to make a positive impact on our environment,” said Kevin Girard, Vice Chairman and Director of Sustainability of BHA.
One of BHA’s main focuses for 2023 is to promote the use of quality local produce by connecting hotel teams with sustainable local suppliers. The initial step was taken during the BHA Sustainable Food Festival in July 2022, followed by an F&B exhibition during the BHA Annual General Manager Meeting on 9 December 2022 at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali. A total of 15 producers were present, representing various island grown produce for BHA members to try and develop a partnership. This type of partnership will enable hotels to stay relevant in today’s market, where guests are looking for authentic flavors and creations from the destination.
“Many of our member hotels have worked with two or three local suppliers. BHA aims to connect our members with over 10 new vendors, which will create opportunities for further collaborations,” said Kevin Girard.
New improvements to the BHA website for 2023
To help drive the BHA’s vision for 2023, the Association has completed several improvements to its website – balihotelsassociation.com. The upgrade will leverage the current website for BHA members and partners and continue to provide a trusted voice for future guests coming to Bali.
“It is our shared goal to position the website as a platform where we can bring key players together and support BHA initiatives centered around Sustainability, Education, Social Media, Health & Safety and Travel through a dedicated access point , one stop,” said Simona Chimenti, Director of Marketing and Media Relations.
Website improvements include BHA Editorial Board section, which was recently revamped with more user-friendly navigation, allowing member hotels and travelers to easily access accurate and verified travel information. Our hotels and resorts section now allows visitors to browse star-rated hotels by destination. Essential data and enhanced views of each hotel aim to inspire and simplify travel planning, with more information just a click away. A new, more comprehensive one BHA career section will allow member hotels to advertise their jobs and talented candidates to apply directly on the platform, thus reducing the time of the hiring process.
“One of the biggest problems facing the tourism industry right now is the lack of manpower. We expect the enhancement of the BHA careers section to become a key referral source for recruiting quality candidates,” said Simona Chimenti.
“The tourism outlook for 2023 in Bali remains positive, and the Bali Hotels Association aims to bring even more to the table next year. I am fortunate to have the support of Vice President Kevin Girard and our amazing Board of Directors with their strong commitment and well-thought-out programs for 2023,” said Fransiska Handoko.
2023 BHA Board of Directors
Fransiska HandokoGeneral Manager, Risata Bali Resort & Spa
Chairman, Director of Relations with the Government and Organizations
Kevin Girard, General Manager, Conrad Bali
Vice President and Director of Sustainability
Joel BartlettGeneral Manager, Mothers from Ovolo
Director of Finance and Business Development
Simona CementGeneral Manager, The Pavilions Bali
Director of Marketing and Media Relations
Franklin’s Pocket, General Manager, The Stones Hotel – Legian Bali, Autograph Collection
Director of Safety and Security
I Wayan Warta, General Manager, Amadea Resort & Villas
