Bali – A South African travel consultant has returned from Indonesia’s premier tourism trade event with plans to bring more African travellers to Bali and the wider Indonesian archipelago, an opportunity that could open new holiday corridors for Swazi travellers seeking exotic long-haul destinations.
Tsebo Manale, founder of D12 Travel, a travel consultancy based in Bryanston, Sandton, attended the Bali and Beyond Travel Fair 2026, held at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua in Bali, describing it as one of Indonesia’s most important tourism marketplaces.
“BBTF continues to serve as one of Indonesia’s most important tourism marketplaces, bringing together global buyers, tourism boards, hospitality partners, destination management companies, airlines, and travel professionals with a shared vision: to strengthen tourism partnerships, create sustainable growth, and showcase the incredible diversity of Indonesia to the world,” Manale said. 
She said D12 Travel was honoured to have participated in the event, using it to strengthen existing relationships in Bali while introducing new opportunities from the East African market.
“The growing interest from African travellers in Bali and Indonesia presents exciting prospects for deeper collaboration, increased visitor arrivals, and meaningful cultural exchange between our regions,” she said.
Among the standout features of this year’s fair was the introduction of emerging Indonesian destinations beyond Bali, including the cultural city of Yogyakarta, the beaches of Lombok, and the natural landscapes of Labuan Bajo, Komodo and North Sumatra. Manale said D12 Travel plans to incorporate these into future travel programmes alongside Bali’s established offerings.
Part of her visit included site inspections at several properties, among them Finns Beach Club, a beachfront venue she described as offering the kind of energy that makes visitors want to stay longer. She also attended a traditional Legong dance performance over dinner at Cicada Resort Bali Ubud, an Autograph Collection property in Ubud.
“Part of what we do at D12 Travel is personally experience destinations and inspect properties so we can confidently recommend the very best to our clients,” Manale said. “Experiences like this remind me why Bali continues to be one of the world’s most loved destinations.”
