IO, Jakarta – Optimism for tourism and the creative economy revival is now getting stronger along with the COVID19 vaccination program and various government policies related to the tourism sector. However, to build optimism in the world of tourism, cooperation from all relevant stakeholders is needed.
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno revealed that currently, his party is boosting domestic tourism visits, among others, through the Bangga Berwisata di Indonesia program (#diindonesiaaja). Sandi stated that there are 55 million middle-class Indonesian citizens in Indonesia who have the potential to travel within the country.
“Previously, we focused on raising millions of international tourists from Thailand, Malaysia. At the moment, we are still hoping to continue the program, but we have to calibrate it, due to COVID. However, we also have a lot of domestic tourists – more than 55 million middle-class citizens who are very capable and want to travel,” said Sandiaga Uno in a Forwada discussion entitled “Awakening the Optimism of Indonesian Tourism Industry,” Thursday ( 4/3/2020).
According to Sandiaga, his party wants to restore the tourism industry as soon as possible, but we have to ensure that the number of COVID-19 transmissions is under control. “Currently, the micro PPKM run by the government has been quite successful in reducing the number of COVID-19 transmissions significantly, from 15 thousand per day to 5 thousand per day. This is a breath of fresh air so that we are more disciplined in complying with the micro PPKM,” he said.
Sandi said, seeing the development of COVID in the second year, to boost tourism visits, both foreign and domestic, a colossal collaboration was needed. Sandi said that the collaboration between various agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Law & Human Rights, the COVID-19 Task Force, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Transportation, as well as elements of society and the business world, is needed.
Regarding when the tourism industry can revive, Sandi admits he is optimistic that this will happen in the second and third quarters of this year.
“If asked about the time, I want to be more optimistic, if we continue to be disciplined and the COVID-19 figure can continue to be suppressed, I see that in the second and third quarters we are starting to improve creative economy events and recovery from tourism resulting in the revival of our economy,” he explained.
Nia Niscaya, Deputy for Marketing of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, added that in 2021, her party is preparing to welcome the recovery of the country’s tourism sector by relying primarily on domestic tourists while preparing for the arrival of foreign tourists.
According to her, for the Ministry of Tourism’s current marketing strategy, the most important thing is to build the trust of business actors and market confidence, that Indonesia is ready for a new normal.
This is because there is a change in trends in tourism – now, it is not only the matter of attractive destination but also how the readiness of health protocols at tourist sites.
“Currently, people are more looking for tourist locations that are less crowded, which are oriented towards outdoors, health, wellness, and adventure. In terms of flights, people prefer direct flights, or if domestic ones are safe traveling, go with family,” she said.
She emphasized that tourism marketing is currently very dependent on handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, all tourism sectors must be able to adapt, innovate and collaborate. Kemenparekraf itself continues to collaborate with various parties in building the perception that Indonesia is ready for a new normal. (nhn)