Efforts Prepared By The Ministry Of Tourism And Creative Economy For Companies In The Tourism And Creative Economy Sector

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Wishnutama Kusbandio will provide assistance to tourism sector companies affected by the corona virus pandemic or COVID-19.

Because, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of companies in the tourism sector and the creative economy became sluggish and resulted in massive layoffs (layoffs).

Wishnutama said that Kemenparkraf plans to provide assistance to companies in the tourism sector with certain conditions such as continuing to pay salaries for employees who are laid off, not laying off employees, still providing holiday allowances (THR) and other conditions. Of course, this will be further coordinated with other ministries and agencies so that it can be implemented immediately.

"So there is a breath for companies to pay employees or give THR," Wishnutama said in a virtual press conference broadcast on the Cabinet Secretariat's YouTube account, Thursday, April 16.

Wishnutama will also coordinate with the Ministry of Manpower to prepare social assistance such as pre-employment cards for company employees in the tourism sector and the creative economy. The prediction is that there are about 1.1 million people working in the tourism sector who will receive assistance.

In addition, Wishnutama is now considering social gifts for art workers who have been affected and will collaborate with the Ministry of Social Affairs. This assistance, he said, will probably be given in cash. However, currently data collection on recipients is still being carried out together with planning to make it more targeted.

Furthermore, he believes that in 2021 or after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry in Indonesia will rebound significantly. Even so, Wishnutama said, Indonesia must be ready to compete with other countries related to tourism issues and the creative economy.

"We believe in 2021 because of this WFH, our tourism will actually rebound very significantly," he said.

This is what Wishnutama said made him continue to prepare and coordinate regarding Super Priority Destinations (DSP) and other things to welcome the rebound.

Previously, President Joko Widodo ordered his ranks of ministers to protect the tourism business and creative economy in Indonesia so that they could survive the COVID-19 pandemic. He believes, next year, the tourism sector will experience an increase after the pandemic ends.

"I believe this (COVID-19) will only last until the end of the year. Next year there will be a boom in the tourism sector," he said when opening a limited meeting broadcast on the Cabinet Secretariat's YouTube account, Thursday, April 16.

The former governor of DKI Jakarta is optimistic that tourists will come to various regions to enjoy the beauty of tourist attractions next year. So, Jokowi asked his men to be optimistic about this.

"Do not get caught up in pessimism due to COVID-19 so that the boom that will emerge after COVID cannot be utilized properly," he said.

To maintain optimism in the field of tourism and the creative economy, Jokowi ordered his ministers to formulate several things, including the issue of providing social protection to workers in the tourism sector such as hotels and restaurants.

He advised his ministers that social protection for these workers must be ensured and reach those who really need it.