AAF 2026 Turns Bandung Culture Event Into Economic Driver
- 15 Jul 2026 21:15 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- The Asia Africa Festival (AAF) 2026 attracted 259,200 visitors to Bandung on July 11–12, boosting the city’s tourism and local business sectors.
- The event generated economic benefits for MSMEs, hotels, culinary businesses, transportation services, and the creative economy.
RRI.CO.ID, Bandung City - A wave of visitors packed the heart of Bandung over the past weekend after city authorities recorded 259,200 attendees at the Asia Africa Festival (AAF) 2026 held on 11–12 July 2026. The massive two-day surge delivered immediate benefits to the hospitality, culinary and local transport sectors.
Bandung Mayor, Muhammad Farhan, said AAF 2026 demonstrated the city’s capacity to host international events. The festival not only highlighted historical and cultural values but also produced tangible economic impacts for local communities.
“Over the two days, total attendance exceeded 259,000 people. This shows that a quality event can be a tourism magnet while stimulating MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), the creative economy, hotels, culinary businesses and transport,” Mayor Farhan said in Bandung on Wednesday, 15 July 2026.
He said the Asia Africa Market, featuring 49 MSMEs and 18 performers, delivered the largest contribution to the festival’s economic turnover.
“Transactions nearing IDR 800 million (USD 44,272.27) demonstrate that cultural events can also drive local economic activity. Visitor presence provides direct benefits to MSMEs and the creative industries,” added the mayor, as quoted by Antara.
He said the high visitor numbers prove that well‑organized events can attract tourists and stimulate multiple business sectors.
“AAF is more than a cultural celebration. The festival is a collaborative space that brings together citizens, communities, creative‑economy players, artists and delegations from various countries,” said the mayor.
AAF 2026 began with the Asia Africa Carnival, which involved 23 community groups, two regencies/cities and two countries, totaling 1,380 participants. The cultural carnival was attended by delegations from 28 countries and watched by some 9,800 visitors.
Asia Africa Culture featured 40 Bandung artists and a discussion session on art and creativity that drew 875 visitors over two days.
“Most importantly, this event delivered economic benefits while strengthening Bandung’s position as a creative city with significant historical importance to the world,” said Mayor Farhan. ***
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