From Plate to… Planes: Navigating Indonesia’s High-Energy May Season

May 2026 is certainly a happening month for Indonesia’s tourism sector, and you definitely don’t want to skip out on a quick visit! The nation’s premier culinary festival will be taking place alongside its largest business-to-business travel forum, while regional flight services see new additions – in a nutshell. For tourism stakeholders and international travellers, late May is definitely why they should be here in Indonesia!

The Culinary Frontline: Ubud Food Festival (May 28–31)

The 11^th edition of Ubud Food Festival (UFF) returns to the Taman Kuliner grounds from May 28 to May 31, 2026. Responding to its almost global virality, the festival has expanded to a four-day programme for the first time. The 2026 theme, ‘Farmers: Guardians of Land and Sea’, serves as an objective tribute to the farmers, fishers, and artisans whose work underpins the nation’s culinary identity.

Notable participants include Chef Jovan Koraag, known for his advocacy of regional Indonesian cuisines, and Bangkok-based Chef Prin Polsuk, who specializes in historic culinary research. The UFF remains one of the best platforms for gastronomes and travellers to engage with the cultural and environmental stories behind the food they consume.

The Strategic Hub: Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (May 28–30)

Running concurrently with Ubud’s culinary festivities, the 12^th edition of Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) will take place at the Bali International Convention Centre in Nusa Dua. Organized by ASITA Bali, the fair is recognized as Indonesia’s most significant international tourism exhibition. And it would be little surprise to know that this year’s theme is ‘Redefining Indonesia’s Gastronomy Journey: A Celebration of Taste, Culture, and Sustainable Heritage’.

BBTF 2026 is expected to host hundreds of sellers from across the archipelago and international buyers from over 40 countries. The fair will have pre-scheduled business appointments to promote both Bali and ‘Beyond Bali’ destinations, particularly the government’s identified super-priority areas. By focussing on gastronomy and destination readiness, the event provides an essential space for industry people to help the shift toward quality tourism and sustainable growth.

Regional Accessibility: Scoot’s New Indonesian Gateways

As of this week, the airline Scoot is set to enhance connectivity with the introduction of its Embraer E190-E2 aircraft on routes to secondary hubs. Starting May 3, 2026, twice-weekly services will commence from Singapore to Belitung, an island in Sumatra recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

This new service provides a direct path to a destination known for its unique granite boulder coastlines and the endemic Belitung Tarsier. Furthermore, upcoming routes to Pontianak in West Kalimantan (slated for late June) will further open the “Beyond Bali” corridors for those interested in the cultural heritage of the Kapuas River. These flights are one of the best developments for the coming season, allowing travellers to bypass the busiest transit points and engage directly with Indonesia’s less-traversed regional landscapes.

May in Indonesia: Food, Flying and Networking

Between the heritage-focused culinary sessions in Ubud and the high-level business networking at the BBTF in Nusa Dua, Indonesia is demonstrating its capacity to host world-class events that go beyond traditional sun-and-surf tourism. Supported by more efficient regional flight paths, we’re talking about great holiday material – both business and fun! Check out some of our great Bali holiday deals or make a bespoke itinerary with our travel experts at 1300 991 751!