Global Bike Tour Makes Its Bali Debut, Welcomed Warmly at Bali Relaxing Resort & Spa

 

BADUNG — The first-ever Global Bike Tour in Bali was officially welcomed at Bali Relaxing Resort & Spa in Tanjung Benoa, marked by a moment of silence honoring the victims of a recent apartment fire in Hong Kong. Organizers invited guests to bow their heads in remembrance before the evening program commenced, reflecting a respectful tone amid Hong Kong’s national mourning.

Despite the subdued atmosphere, the welcome dinner—supported by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism—proceeded with appreciation from attendees. Vinsensius Jemadu, Deputy for Event Management at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, was present and even enlivened the evening by performing several Mandarin songs.

In a brief interview, Vinsensius explained that this was the community’s first visit to Bali. The Global Bike Tour group is exploring new cycling routes through rural tourism areas and rice fields, showcasing one of Bali’s most distinctive attractions.

“Through the Ministry of Tourism, we are taking part by hosting a gala dinner with the delegates and participants. They usually travel to Europe, and now we are inviting these bikers to experience Southeast Asia—particularly Indonesia and especially Bali,” he said on Saturday, 29 November 2025.

Vinsensius also highlighted other appealing destinations such as Lake Toba, Mandalika, Kupang, Central Java, and several of Indonesia’s top priority tourism areas. Since the pandemic, travel behavior has shifted significantly, with special-interest tourism—especially sports tourism—becoming increasingly prominent.

During the event, he also introduced MaiA (Meticulous Artificial Intelligence of Indonesia), an AI–powered service integrated within indonesia.travel. MaiA assists travelers in planning their trips, generating automatic itineraries, and offering personalized recommendations in multiple languages. The platform represents Indonesia’s digital leap toward smarter, more adaptive tourism services.

Vinsensius emphasized that MaiA is designed to be a digital companion that understands travelers’ needs and strengthens Indonesia’s competitiveness on the global stage. It aims to deliver more efficient, inclusive, and relevant travel experiences aligned with modern tourism trends.

The event also brought together Simon Wong, Executive Director responsible for bringing the Global Bike Tour to Bali. For this inaugural trip, he brought 22 participants who cycled from Tanah Lot to Jatiluwih on the first day, continued with a Ubud route on the second day, and later joined a cooking class.

Alongside Bali business partner Ricky, Wong expressed his commitment to making Bali a key destination for the cycling community. He also brought along renowned Hong Kong actor Wong Tak-bun (Kenny Wong) to help spotlight Bali internationally.

Kenny Wong shared his delight in joining the cycling activities in Bali. He praised Bali Relaxing Resort & Spa for its spacious swimming pool and beachfront ambience, noting that the experience offered both adventure and relaxation.

“In this moment, I also want to express my condolences for the tragic fire in Hong Kong. I hope recovery comes swiftly for all affected,” Kenny said. (Ray)