Eco Tourism Bali proudly led the 3rd Series of World Tourism Day 2025, carrying the global theme “Tourism & Climate Action.” Held on October 8, 2025, at The Meru Sanur, Bali, the event brought together more than 300 key stakeholders from across sectors, including government representatives, hospitality leaders, associations, communities, and sustainability partners, all united by a shared mission to make tourism part of the climate solution.
This year’s event was supported by The Meru Sanur as Exclusive Sponsor and the ACT! Project, a consortium led by the Rainforest Alliance in collaboration with SCOPI (Sustainable Coffee Platform of Indonesia) and CSP (Cocoa Sustainability Partnership), funded by the European Union through the SWITCH-Asia Programme. The partnership reinforced a common goal: ensuring that sustainability in tourism goes beyond commitments and transforms into measurable, real-world impact. “ACT! Project aims to reduce negative social and environmental impacts of domestic food consumption, especially coffee, chocolate, tea, and palm oil. Eco Tourism Bali is the right partner to promote sustainable procurement practices among hotels, restaurants, cafés, and retailers,” said Margareth Meutia, Manager of Consumer Campaign and Engagement of Rainforest Alliance Indonesia.
The celebration opened with an inspiring keynote by Vice Minister of Tourism, Ibu Ni Luh Puspa, who emphasized that global travelers today are more conscious of how destinations manage their environment, communities, and governance. “Today’s travelers judge destinations not by hotel stars, but by how well the environment is protected, how local communities are empowered, and how transparent governance is. This is the new meaning of ‘premium’, tourism that is high-quality, fair, and sustainable. Bali’s greatest asset is not just its beaches or rice fields, but its people, who preserve harmony between nature and culture. This treasure must be protected together,” she said.
Two milestone initiatives were launched during the event. The first was the Sustainable Procurement Guideline for the HORECA sector, developed in collaboration with Kopernik and Koalisi Ekonomi Membumi (KEM). This practical guide aims to help hotels, restaurants, cafés, and suppliers implement sustainable supply chains that align with environmental and social responsibility goals. “Real change happens not only in daily operations but throughout the supply chain that supports tourism,” shared Suzy Hutomo, Co-Founder of Eco Tourism Bali. The second initiative was the introduction of the Eco Climate Badge 2.0, an upgraded version of Eco Tourism Bali’s sustainability verification program that now integrates ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) principles. This update offers a holistic approach to sustainability, empowering local tourism businesses to measure and communicate their impact with greater credibility and transparency. “We’ve moved beyond awareness now, we’re taking real action by providing practical tools for businesses to implement sustainability with measurable results,” Suzy added.
For the first time, World Tourism Day in Bali also featured a Business Matching Session, connecting 30 sustainability suppliers with 30 Eco Tourism Bali verified members from the HORECA sector. The initiative encouraged collaboration and responsible sourcing across the tourism ecosystem. “Through our collaboration with Eco Tourism Bali, KEM aims to ensure that sustainability is not just an aspiration but a practice that strengthens Indonesia’s responsible bioeconomy, uplifts local communities, and protects our natural resources,” said Fito Rahdianto, Executive Director of KEM.
The celebration also showcased the vital role of youth and community engagement in advancing climate action. Dynamic panel discussions featured sustainable hospitality leaders, followed by an inter-generational session with young climate advocate Melati Wijsen, who shared how youth voices are shaping a greener and more resilient future. In collaboration with The Meru Sanur, Eco Tourism Bali also organized an educational activity for local Banjar children, inspiring them to care for Bali’s forests, oceans, and coastlines through creative learning experiences such as the Eco Games for Young Makers. “The future of Bali’s tourism depends on how well we protect what we love today,” concluded Suzy Hutomo. “Let’s continue working together for a climate-positive, nature-positive Bali.”
With over 300 participants, 30 sustainability suppliers, and 30 verified businesses, World Tourism Day 2025 in Bali became one of the largest gatherings of sustainable tourism leaders in the region. More than just a celebration, it was a movement that built concrete pathways toward climate-resilient, community-driven tourism, positioning Bali as a global model for sustainable travel.
As we look toward the future, Eco Tourism Bali remains committed to driving real climate action through collaboration, innovation, and community empowerment. The journey toward sustainable tourism is far from over and everyone has a role to play. We invite businesses, changemakers, and nature enthusiasts to be part of next year’s World Tourism Day celebration and join us in shaping a climate-positive, nature-positive future for Bali and beyond. Together, we can ensure that tourism continues to be a force for good one that protects the planet, uplifts local communities, and celebrates the true spirit of sustainability.