Jokowi Withdraws PPKM, Sandiaga Uno: Positive Impact On Tourism

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo has officially revoked the policy for the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) on Friday, December 30, 2022.

This was done considering the sloping situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia.

Responding to this, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said the government's decision to lift the Implementation of Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) would have a positive impact on performance in the tourism sector and the creative economy.

This is because community activities and mobility, including tourists, are no longer limited.

"I want to convey good news, namely the President announced the end of PPKM yesterday. This is because of course we are able to control the pandemic," Sandiaga said as quoted on Monday, January 2.

This, said Sandiaga, will certainly have a very big positive impact on the tourism sector and the creative economy.

This condition will further increase the interest and trust of tourists, both domestic tourists and foreign tourists to travel to #IndonesiaAja.

Moreover, the tourism sector and the creative economy are targeted to produce quite high performance in 2023.

"The impact on tourism will be very positive, it will be very significant, so we are increasingly convinced that the target of achieving domestic tourists has doubled reaching 1.4 billion movements and foreign tourists to 7.4 million foreign tourists. Half of it will be in Bali and we can achieve that," said Sandiaga.

"In 2023 and 2024 there is a target of 4.4 million new jobs in the tourism sector and the creative economy we can fight for for for us to realize it," he continued.

Nevertheless, Sandiaga reminded the public to remain vigilant. Booster vaccinations continue to be strengthened, the use of masks also remains to be considered, especially in closed rooms and also crowds.

"So, there are no more restrictions on community activities, community mobility, year-end events can be held, music concerts, as well as cultural activities or sports activities. However, don't forget we have to remain vigilant, we must continue to emphasize preparedness," said Sandiaga.

Regarding the meeting with investors, Menparekraf Sandiaga said that at the meeting there were around 20 investors who had previously invested and would increase the number of their investments in Bali, especially in the tourism sector and the creative economy in the concept of quality and sustainable tourism.

Sandiaga reminded that despite foreign investment, the investment must still adopt local wisdom values, especially in Bali, such as Tri Hita Karana and Swadarma Leadership.

"Although we talk about global investment, local wisdom must exist and we must provide guidance, so that this investment creates jobs, improves welfare, but does not eliminate cultural roots, and customs from Balinese people," he said.