Indonesia-Hungary tourism collaboration event boosts travel partnerships in Budapest

On 29 October, the ballroom of the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Budapest transformed into a cultural and professional hub as Indonesia and Hungary united for an event to strengthen ties in the tourism industry. Titled “Gathering to Promote Collaboration in Tourism Field—Indonesia and Hungary,” this exclusive event brought together representatives from Hungarian and Indonesian tourism sectors, media professionals, and officials, creating a valuable platform for collaboration and cross-cultural exchange.

Setting the Stage for Tourism Collaboration

Organized to foster new partnerships and deepen existing connections, the event welcomed participants from various corners of the tourism industry, including Hungarian tourist agencies, international airline representatives, and officials. A delegation from Indonesia made up of representatives from three well-known hotels and three prominent travel agencies—mainly based in Bali—traveled specifically to promote Indonesian tourism to the Hungarian market. Their goal was clear: to expand their clientele from Hungary by showcasing Indonesia as a premier destination for Hungarian travelers seeking exotic and culturally rich experiences.

Key Highlights of the Event

The event opened with a warm welcome, setting a positive and collaborative tone. Ambassador of Indonesia to Hungary, H.E. Mr. A.H. Dimas Wahab honored the event with his presence, underscoring the significance of the tourism sector as a bridge between the two nations.

Mr. Ifan Mahdiyat Sofiana, Minister Counsellor and head of the Socio-Culture and Public Diplomacy division, highlighted Hungary’s growing potential as an emerging market for Indonesian tourism and expressed hope for fruitful partnerships that could help both countries benefit from enhanced tourism traffic and cultural exchanges.

In his speech, Rocky W Praputranto, Vice President of ASITA (Association of the Indonesian Travel and Tour Agencies), introduced the association, which has 7,000 members, and stressed that they are here because they have not yet reached the number of passengers in Hungary in 2019. They would like to further emphasize the beauty of Indonesia so that many people will visit one of the Indonesian islands again. As he said, their offer is complete, whether their guests are looking for a luxury or backpacking trip, or maybe they are approaching the travel agencies with wedding or honeymoon plans.

After this keynote speech, the event flowed smoothly through a series of speeches that discussed the future of tourism between Hungary and Indonesia. Speakers focused on the importance of cultural tourism, sustainable travel, and building new connections between travel providers and clients from both countries. Several of the speakers amazed the audience with short travel videos. Richard Haris, a representative of Hungarian tourist agencies (MUISZ) expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to expand their offerings by including unique Indonesian experiences, emphasizing Bali’s appeal as a sought-after vacation spot. As he said, Indonesia is not only Bali, it’s more than that.

Traditional Indonesian Dance Performance

To highlight the richness of Indonesian culture, the event interspersed one traditional Indonesian dance performance. The dancers, adorned in vibrant, traditional attire, captivated the audience with their elegant movements. These performances added a cultural dimension to the gathering, showcasing the allure of Indonesia’s heritage and contributing to a deeper appreciation of its traditions among Hungarian attendees.

B2B Networking Session

A dedicated two-hour Business-to-Business (B2B) program followed the formal presentations, where Indonesian representatives had the chance to introduce their services to Hungarian partners. This networking session proved to be a vital component of the event, as it facilitated direct conversations between Indonesian hotel and travel agency representatives and Hungarian counterparts interested in forming business partnerships. The session offered a unique opportunity for Hungarian travel agencies to learn firsthand about the experiences Indonesian tourism providers could offer, ranging from luxurious stays in Bali’s renowned resorts to guided tours through Indonesia’s lesser-known islands.

Hungarian participants were especially drawn to Bali’s blend of natural beauty, wellness retreats, and cultural experiences, showing particular interest in establishing joint marketing initiatives that could appeal to Hungarian travelers seeking new, enriching travel destinations.

The event was capped off with a carefully curated lunch that celebrated the culinary traditions of both Indonesia and Hungary, and international also.

The event was also attended by Alpár Kató, the owner of Daily News Hungary, who negotiated a forward-looking deal that will see Daily News Hungary partner in the marketing campaign for Indonesia.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Indonesia-Hungary Tourism Relations

The “Gathering to Promote Collaboration in Tourism Field—Indonesia and Hungary” event achieved its objective of creating a meaningful platform for industry professionals to come together, share insights, and envision a future of enhanced tourism collaboration between Indonesia and Hungary. Both sides expressed optimism about the potential for increased tourism traffic, particularly from Hungary to Indonesia, with discussions already underway on how to further market Indonesia’s unique offerings to Hungarian travelers.

As Indonesian representatives return with promising new contacts, the tourism sectors of both countries look forward to fostering stronger ties, enhancing the cultural and economic bonds that make travel such a rewarding experience. With events like these, Indonesia and Hungary set the stage for mutual growth, promoting tourism that celebrates diversity and shared human connections.

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