DENPASAR, balitourismnow.com – Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, accompanied by tourism and environmental stakeholders, officially opened The Meru Eco Tourism Week 2026 (4th Edition) at the Bali Beach Convention Center in Sanur on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Minister Widiyanti expressed her strong support for the international event, describing it as a concrete step toward strengthening the implementation of sustainable tourism practices in Bali.
“Cross-sector collaboration is essential to maintaining Bali’s competitiveness as a world-class tourism destination while ensuring environmental preservation and community well-being,” she said.
This year’s The Meru Eco Tourism Week differs from previous editions by expanding into a two-day event, reflecting efforts to further strengthen Bali’s position as a leading destination for sustainable and regenerative tourism.
Organized by Eco Tourism Bali in collaboration with The Meru Sanur, the Wonderful Indonesia Sustainable Tourism Industry Forum (WI-STIF), and the ACT! Project, the event carries the theme “Tourism as a Force for Good: Regenerating Bali Together.”
The event serves as a collaborative platform that brings together stakeholders from across sectors to accelerate the transformation of Bali’s tourism industry toward more environmentally and socially responsible practices.
During a press conference prior to the opening ceremony, Eco Tourism Bali Co-Founder Rahmi Fajar Harini explained that this fourth edition places a strong emphasis on the concept of nature-positive tourism.
This approach goes beyond minimizing tourism’s negative environmental impacts by actively contributing to ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation.
According to Rahmi, the tourism sector has a responsibility not only to protect but also to regenerate the ecosystems that have long been the foundation of Bali’s appeal as a global destination.
“Future tourism can no longer be extractive. The industry must evolve into a positive force that helps protect and regenerate nature and the ecosystems that support it,” Rahmi stated.
She added that the event coincides with the celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, observed annually on May 22.
The occasion serves as an important reminder that the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry is deeply dependent on healthy and well-preserved natural environments.
A range of environmental challenges facing Bali—including waste management issues, climate change, pressure on ecosystems, and threats to cultural heritage—underscore the urgency of adopting regenerative tourism principles.
This approach is reflected in various aspects of the industry, from policy development and business governance to responsible hospitality operations, waste and resource management, biodiversity protection, sustainable sourcing, and long-term commitments to environmental stewardship and local communities.
Meanwhile, Eco Tourism Bali Co-Founder Suzy Hutomo emphasized that sustainability is no longer merely an added value within the tourism sector.
“Sustainability is no longer an optional component of the tourism industry. It has become a fundamental pillar for maintaining Bali’s competitiveness and securing its future as a world-class destination,” she said.
Throughout the two-day event, participants will engage in a series of strategic programs, including press conferences with national and international media, panel discussions, presentations, fireside chats, cross-sector networking sessions, and an Eco Business Pitch program that connects sustainable solution providers with tourism and hospitality industry leaders.
More than 40 exhibitors are participating, showcasing innovative products, technologies, and environmentally friendly solutions aimed at supporting the transformation of the tourism sector.
The event also features the presentation of the Eco Climate Badge Award 2025/2026 to hotels and restaurants that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to sustainability practices and climate-friendly operations.
Ed Brea, General Manager of The Meru Sanur, said that hosting the event reflects the company’s commitment to supporting the development of sustainable tourism in Bali.
He noted that the partnership with Eco Tourism Bali represents an important step toward building an industry that generates not only economic value but also meaningful contributions to environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and local community well-being.
Brea further highlighted that The Meru Sanur’s location within the Sanur Health and Wellness Special Economic Zone (SEZ) demonstrates how healthcare, tourism, environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and economic growth can thrive together within a sustainable ecosystem.
“We hope that The Meru Eco Tourism Week will inspire new ideas and accelerate collective action toward a more sustainable and regenerative future for Bali and Indonesia,” he concluded. [buda]