BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – The Badung Tourism Agency is intensifying international tourism promotion efforts by introducing Indian travel agents to Bali’s cultural and village tourism destinations through the Badung Familiarization Trip 2026 program.
The promotional event was held at the central courtyard of Taman Ayun Temple in Mengwi on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, as part of Badung Regency’s strategy to expand foreign tourist markets beyond Bali’s traditional beach tourism sector.
Badung Tourism Agency Head Anak Agung Putri Mas Agung said the familiarization trip was designed to give participating travel agents direct experience with various destinations across Badung Regency.
Officials hope the participants will later promote these locations to travelers from India, one of Bali’s growing international tourism markets.
“We want to introduce that Badung is not only about beach tourism, but also cultural tourism, tourism villages, and many other attractive alternative destinations,” Putri Mas Agung said.
During the four-day, three-night program, the invited travel agents visited several tourism sites including Pandawa Beach, the Sulangai area, tourism villages, and the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Monument.
Participants also attended a cultural dinner featuring traditional Balinese cuisine as part of an immersive tourism experience highlighting local culture and heritage.
According to the Tourism Agency, the initiative aims to increase visits from Indian tourists, particularly to cultural attractions located in Central and North Badung.
“We hope tourism promotion activities like this can increase Indian tourist visits to Bali, especially to cultural tourism destinations in Badung,” Putri Mas Agung added.
The event was also attended by Mengwi royal figure Ida Cokorda Mengwi XIII, who praised the initiative for bringing international travel agents directly to Bali to experience local culture firsthand.
He said tourism promotion based on direct cultural experience remains one of Bali’s strongest advantages amid growing global tourism competition.
“This activity is very good and is expected to increase tourist visits in the future,” he said.
Officials noted that Taman Ayun Temple currently receives around 400 to 500 visitors per day, with authorities hoping international promotional programs will help increase those numbers further.
In addition to cultural performances, participating travel agents were also introduced to the historical background of Taman Ayun Temple, a heritage site linked to the former Mengwi Kingdom and one of Bali’s most recognized cultural landmarks.
The Badung Tourism Agency said the program forms part of its broader effort to diversify tourism interest toward cultural attractions and village tourism areas outside Bali’s main coastal destinations.