“We wish to remain and exist as a Top of the Mind destination in the market”
Tourism in Indonesia is waiting for the COVID-19 situation to decline and be more conducive for travel. Dr. R. Sigit Witjaksono, Director of Tourism Marketing for East, South and Central Asia Region, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Republic of Indonesia, speaks to TTJ, as he assures us that important steps have been taken by the Indonesian government to restore the global trust in Indonesian tourism and it to be the ‘Top of the Mind’ destination the world over.
For Indonesian Tourism, India has long been a very important source market. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the total number of Indian visitors was 657,300, an increase of 10.35 per cent compared to the previous year. With a large number of visitors from India, they intend to continue to work on the Indian market. But certainly, Indonesia and India must continue the cooperation so that international borders can be opened for both countries. Meanwhile, much like India, Indonesia has also been working very hard to control the pandemic.
Acknowledging the same, Dr. Witjaksono says, “The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno had also held a meeting with the Indian Ambassador to Indonesia, Manoj Kumar Bharti. During the meeting, the two of them discussed various future program plans, especially opportunities to increase cooperation in the tourism sector and the post-pandemic creative economy. The plan to reopen Bali with direct flights from India was also discussed. This confirms that India is and will still be a very important market for Indonesia.”
With the collaborations and synergy among all related stakeholders, government, business/industry, academic, community, and media, authorities at Indonesian tourism are quite confident that they can successfully get through this difficult situation because of the pandemic and move forward for the prospective future in the tourism and the creative economy sector. Thus far, the Indonesian government has been focusing on the readiness of the destination and the situation is being closely monitored and is being adjusted and updated accordingly.
“Since 2020, the government and the people of the Republic of Indonesia in many regions/capital cities of all the provinces have been making adequate effort to ensure the readiness of destinations, to welcome visitors, with the implementation of CHSE (cleanliness, health, safety & environmental sustainability). This effort will also be continued, in the ensuing second semester of 2021, in many other cities all around the country covering hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, souvenir shops, etc., so that it would in turn build and strengthen the confidence of the tourists to visit Indonesia when the condition is again conducive for international travel,” says Dr. Witjaksono.
More importantly, since March 2021, the COVID-19 vaccination implementation program for the tourism industry and the creative economy in Indonesia has already begun. This vaccination step is a part of the government’s realization and initiative to encourage the recovery of the tourism and creative economy sector post the COVID-19 pandemic.
In many places/areas, the government, supported by the stakeholders, have
also prepared the availability of health facilities, including hospitals & PCR / swab laboratories as well as increasing the capacity of testing, tracing and tracking. And to remain present and exist as a ‘Top of the Mind’ destination in the market, they keep conducting online digital promotions using the hashtag ‘#InDonesiaCare #IDoCare’ and also focusing on online webinar/hybrid activities, amongst others, to update the travellers and the travel industry regarding the readiness of destinations.
Speaking about how Indonesia is working to offer safe travel and environment in both leisure and MICE segments, Dr. Witjaksono, shares, “Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA) or travel bubble in Bali, Bintan, and Batam (3B) hopefully will be a pilot project of preparing to bring international visitors to Indonesia. Currently, we continue to carry out monitoring and evaluation at 3B, so that it is ready to become a top-of-the-drawer destination visited by international guests when the condition is conducive again for travel. Everything is being pre-conditioned: safe routes, safe zones, transportation, referral hospitals, and mitigation provisions. Insurance for visitors is also a subject of discussion because this will make visitors safe and comfortable. We have been coordinating and preparing everything from time to time together with related Ministries/Agencies (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, National Task Force for COVID-19, etc, provincial/local governments and related industries.”
For the MICE Segment, in Indonesia, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has made a guidebook/ guideline on health protocols (CHSE) for the implementation of MICE activities. The guidebook received appreciation at the international event, Bali Democracy Forum December 2020. When travel resumes, hopefully, international MICE events and activities in Indonesia will be carried out and can be run safely according to health protocols.
“Bali, Bintan, and Batam will be a pilot project of preparing to bring back international visitors to Indonesia. We will continue to promote Bali because Bali remains the main destination for Indian visitors. As many as 40 per cent of Indian visitors come to Bali for MICE, weddings and honeymoons and this is what we will continue to work on, as well as other potential segments for adventure, leisure, etc,” says Dr. Witjaksono confidentially.
However, for Indonesian tourism, the important thing is that they have to make tourists feel comfortable and safe. The new normal condition with the implementation of CHSE protocol is a must/mandatory for future trip activities. The authorities would like to ensure that the safety and health of the people travelling to their country is one of their utmost objectives. In this regard, they have made adequate arrangements and implemented their plans and strategies with adaptation, innovation and collaboration to achieve their goal.