The Ministry of National Development Planning Republic of Indonesia (BAPPENAS) hosted an annual conference, supported by the Indonesian Academy of Sciences with the theme “Build Forward Better: Rise Together from Covid-19 for Sustainable Development Goals using Science and Sustainable Innovation. This conference was held virtually on 17 December 2020 and attended by more than 1000 virtual participants. This event is intended to discuss the current situation, a forum to share knowledge and exchanging ideas among the stakeholders in order to provide solutions and recommendations for the achievement of SDG’s due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The welcoming speech was addressed by His Excellency Dr. (H.C.) Ir. H. Suharso Monoarfa, the Minister of National Development Planning of Indonesia. The President of Indonesia, His Excellency H. Ir. Joko Widodo has opened this conference and delivered his keynote speech. The UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Valerie Julliand has extended a speech during this event, before some speakers delivering interesting subjects including Prof. Dr. Ir. Satryo S. Brodjonegoro, Dr. Ir. Tatang Hernas Soerawidjaja, and Dr. David Nabarro. Beside the launching of a book called “Thinking ahead: Indonesia’s Agenda of Sustainable Recovery from Covid-19” written by LPEM of the Indonesia University and the Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS), by the Deputy of Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources accompanied by the Expert Staff for Synergy of Economic Affairs and Financing and the Dean of the Economic and Business Faculty of Indonesia University (UI), some awards were also extended to the winners of the SDG Campus Ambassador Competition, the Virtual Event Competition and the Indonesia SDGs Debate 2020. A famous Indonesian stand-up comedian, Pandji Pragiwaksono, was also involved in this event to cheer up the participants during the virtual event.

“ Simakrama” in Balinese means “Gathering or Meeting”, where a good result or regulation should be born from a good spirit and positive energy. Recovery support on Bali tourism after the wide spread of Covid-19 Pandemic has been made by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Republic of Indonesia, among others by initiating an event called Simakrama Bali 2020, in which the Bali Tourism Stakeholders together with the regional Government of Bali gathered to discuss about the current condition and try to find a good way out to safe Bali from a deep economic crisis. There were totally 6 Simakramas held within the month of October in 6 different regions in Bali, namely Karangasem, Klungkung, Bangli, Badung, Tabanan and Singaraja Regency. Bintang Nusantara MICE has organized the Simakrama held in Karangasem regency and in Tabanan regency.

The Simakrama in Karangasem Regency on 13 October 2020 was held in hybrid manner, where around 100 participants were physically present and some joined the event virtually. The physical event was held at Taman Soekasada, Ujung, Karangasem and attended by the Deputy Minister for Strategic Policy, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, The Vice Governor of Bali, the Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, the Regent of Karangasem, and panelists from the Head of the Bali Regional Bank Indonesia Office, the Head Bali Provincial Health Office and The Head of Bali Covid-19 Task Force.

The Simakrama in Tabanan Regency on 27 October 2020 was also held in hybrid manner, and the physical event was held at Tanah Lot, Tabanan. This event was attended by the Deputy Minister for Strategic Policy, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, the Vice Governor of Bali, the Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, the Regent of Tabanan, and panelists from the Head of the Bali Regional Bank Indonesia Office, the Head Bali Provincial Health Office and The Head of Bali Covid-19 Task Force and virtually also present the Ambassador of Indonesia for Vietnam, who shared the current situation in Vietnam and how Vietnam could master the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Government of Bali Province in collaboration with The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Republic of Indonesia has run an educational trip called “We Love Bali Program”, in which the CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environment Sustainability) protocols were strictly implemented. This program is meant to educate Balinese People on how to travel and provide services in all touristic objects and tourism supporting services, such as hotels, restaurants, transportation, etc. in accordance with the safety and health protocols and regulations in anticipation of the wide spread of the Covid-19 and fully supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia. This event took place in October to December 2020 and consists of total 12 programs with different destinations around Bali, accommodating around 5000 participants and created a direct economic impact to Bali since many hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, guides, transportation companies, organizers and tourist objects participated on this program. Bintang Nusantara MICE has organized the program 11 with the route Denpasar – Sangeh – Carangsari – Pelaga – Kintamani – Payangan – Ubud – Kemenuh – Denpasar; program 12 A with the route Denpasar – Margarana – Megati – Tanah Lot – Kediri - Sanur – Denpasar; and program 12 B with the route Sanur – Nusa Penida – Nusa Lembongan – Sanur.

Each program was held 11 times back to back and participated by 40 participants, mainly originated from Bali and some from neighboring islands. The participants were selected by a committee and come from different fields and interests. The participants have to follow and obey the strict CHSE protocols implemented during the 3 days and 2 nights program and have to actively promote the trip they joined on their social media network. This program was very successful because of the direct and great impact to Bali economic and at the same time promoting many new tourist destinations within Bali both to the Balinese and potential tourists.