Controlled COVID-19, Menparekraf Sandiaga Invites People To 'Healing Tourism' In Indonesia Only

Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno pedaled a kayak boat around the group of Tawale Island, South Halmahera, Saturday, November 26, 2022. (doc. Menparekraf Communication Bureau)

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno invited the Indonesian people to go on a 'healing tour' in Indonesia compared to abroad.

"Yes, for Indonesian tourists traveling in Indonesia, that's the most correct," said Sandiaga in a meeting session for journalists held in Jakarta, Monday, April 17, which was confiscated by Antara.

Sandiaga added that the current situation of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia is more under control, and Indonesian tourist destinations are also increasingly ready to serve tourists.

"I also urge them if they are really forced to travel in Singapore and Malaysia, they really use health protocols because in the two countries they are no longer wearing masks," he explained.

This, he continued, needs to be done to take care of each other so as not to bring a new variant upon its return to Indonesia.

Although the government no longer applies tests or checks, Sandiaga appealed to Indonesian tourists to ensure that they had received a complete dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, including the second additional vaccine (booster).

This was conveyed in response to the surge in COVID-19 cases that occurred in Singapore and Malaysia.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan targeted the journey of 1.4 billion Nusantara tourists or twice from last year's achievement in the Proudly Traveling Indonesia Program (BBWI).

"With the increasing number of visits to an area, it is hoped that demand for local products or services will increase. Banten has many leading tourist destinations. Make travel patterns more attractive. Banten is a potential area to raise local wisdom into the appeal of Jakarta residents," said Luhut.

Luhut hopes that these efforts can generate tourism revenues of IDR 3,281 trillion or the equivalent of 18 percent of nominal GDP.