The Europe Committee of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA), supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Budapest, successfully hosted an official Tourism Promotion and Business Networking Event at the Kimpton BEM Budapest on 9 November 2026. 

For the event, a specialized 6-member Indonesian tourism delegation—led by Mr. Rocky W Praputranto—traveled to Hungary to connect directly with Hungarian tour operators, travel agencies (represented in part by Ms. Zsuzsa Tukacs from MUISZ Hungary), tourism industry professionals, and travel influencers.

The event officially opened with key remarks from H.E. Ms. Penny Dewi Herasati, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Hungary, highlighting tourism as a crucial vehicle for cultural connection between the two nations.

“Tourism is the ultimate catalyst for people-to-people connection,” stated Ambassador Herasati during her opening address. “When a Hungarian traveller visits Indonesia, they do not just see a beautiful landscape—they connect with our local communities, experience our rich cultural heritage, and share in our universal values of hospitality. These personal, human connections are the bedrock of the deep, long-standing relationship between Hungary and Indonesia.”

Ambassador Herasati also emphasized Indonesia’s strategic shift beyond traditional travel hubs, championing the country’s Super Priority Tourism Destinations:

  • Lake Toba (North Sumatra): The world’s largest volcanic lake, offering breathtaking highland landscapes, a cool climate, and the rich cultural heritage of the Batak people;
  • Likupang (North Sulawesi): An emerging premier marine paradise dedicated to sustainable ecotourism, pristine white-sand beaches, and luxury coastal resorts;
  • Borobudur (Central Java): The world’s largest Buddhist temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, serving as the crown jewel of Indonesia’s spiritual and cultural tourism;
  • Mandalika (West Nusa Tenggara): A world-class integrated resort zone on Lombok Island, established as a premier global sports tourism hub hosting the MotoGP world championship; and 
  • Labuan Bajo (East Nusa Tenggara): The exclusive gateway to the UNESCO-listed Komodo National Park, world-renowned for luxury Phinisi cruise adventures and rich marine biodiversity.

Following the Ambassador’s address, the ASITA delegation delivered a comprehensive presentation detailing these destinations and their latest travel packages, highlighting experiences ranging from ancient heritage and unique wildlife to luxury wellness and marine ecotourism.

The core of the event featured intensive one-on-one B2B matchmaking sessions, allowing Hungarian travel buyers to negotiate directly with Indonesian suppliers and destination management representatives. The Budapest event serves as the first leg of a three-nation European tourism promotion for the ASITA delegation, concluding today with a networking lunch to formalize new commercial partnerships.

Beyond fostering travel ties, the Embassy views this initiative as a stepping stone toward a more comprehensive cultural exchange. The Embassy plans to amplify this collaboration by integrating future tourism campaigns with gastro-diplomacy and cultural showcases across Hungary. To ensure continuous engagement, the Embassy will also serve as a dedicated information hub to assist Hungarian travel influencers, journalists, and content creators looking to feature Indonesia’s Super Priority Destinations in the local media.

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