Application Of Travel Bubble In Batam, Sandiaga Uno: No Promise, Please Be Patient

Bintan area (CHUTTERSNAP / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf), Sandiaga Uno, reviewed the possibility of implementing a travel bubble between Singapore and Indonesia in Batam City and Bintan Regency, Riau Islands.

Travel bubble is an agreement with other countries, to open access to tourists so that travel bubbles or corridors arise.

"My visit here, I want to see with my own eyes," Sandi said after reviewing the implementation of the health protocol at Hang Nadim Airport in Batam, reported by Antara, Friday, January 22.

The plan was carried out to facilitate the travel of tourists in and out of Indonesia, including from Singapore, which has been the largest contributor to foreign tourists (tourists) to Indonesia.

"But I can't promise. Please be patient," said Sandi.

The government, explained Sandi, had to think about, find and dig up information about the implementation of this policy. This also needs to be conveyed to the Minister of Health and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"Hopefully it can be a provision to return from Batam and Bali," he said.

On that occasion, he said there were 2 things he wanted to achieve in his visit to the Riau Islands. "Save the tourism industry and creative economy," he said.

Menparekraf said that currently the restaurant and hotel industry in Batam is slowing down, along with the decline in the number of foreign tourist arrivals. Therefore, health protocols must be applied rigorously and discipline.

The first key to reviving tourism and the creative economy is to ensure that the health situation is well managed. Sandi is optimistic that Batam's tourism and creative economy will soon recover considering that the current transmission rate of the COVID-19 pandemic in Batam has begun to stabilize.

"I know Batam very well. My first business as a businessman was in Batam. I know Batam has potential," he said.