RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's Tourism Minister, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, opened the Southeast Asia Business Events Forum (SEABEF) 2026 in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, as a strategic step to strengthen Indonesia's position in the ASEAN MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, and Exhibition) industry. The forum brought together governments, international associations, industry players, academics, and the media to discuss the direction of business events development in Southeast Asia.

She stated that the business events industry is now a catalyst for investment, innovation, knowledge transfer, and added value for various sectors. The global MICE sector alone is recorded to control approximately 30.75 percent of the event management industry's revenue share in 2024, with a market value approaching US$1.2 trillion.

Over the two days, SEABEF 2026 addressed a number of strategic issues, ranging from harmonization of ASEAN events policies, sustainable destination development, and industry transformation through artificial intelligence. Other issues discussed included the development of sports and entertainment events, strengthening industry talent, and strategies for winning international event bids.

For the first time, SEABEF will be held concurrently with the Indonesia Business Event Mart (IBEM) 2026, which will take place from July 28–31, 2026. IBEM will feature 98 exhibitors from the MICE and tourism sectors, who will connect with 220 hosted buyers from various countries through a series of business matching sessions at the Indonesian Pavilion.

Based on projected business transactions from IBEM 2026, the potential value of business transactions is estimated to reach around IDR 334 billion in an optimistic scenario. The Minister of Tourism hopes that the synergy between SEABEF and IBEM will expand partnership opportunities and strengthen the national business events ecosystem.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, expressed his appreciation for the Ministry of Tourism's efforts and noted that the accommodation and food and beverage sectors grew by 13.14 percent. He added that in May 2026, Indonesia welcomed 1.38 million international tourists and recorded around 106 million domestic tourist trips, both increases compared to the previous year.

Airlangga proposed a strategy of integrating business and recreation (bleisure) by utilizing destinations such as Borobudur, Prambanan, and Lake Toba, coupled with the use of AI technology and improved connectivity. Hafiz Agung Rifai, Acting Deputy for Event Organizer Development at the Ministry of Tourism, added that the collaboration between SEABEF and IBEM provides momentum to expand international networks and enhance Indonesia's competitiveness as a leading business events destination in ASEAN.