Sandiaga Uno Optimistic Of Tourist Visits Reaching Target: The Pandemic Is Getting Under Control, We Will Intensify Boosters For Travel Requirements

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno is optimistic that the target of tourist visits, especially from foreign countries, or foreign tourists will still be achieved this year, even though the COVID-19 transmission rate is now rising and the government is tightening travel requirements.

"I am very optimistic, especially since the handling of the pandemic is getting under control. We will intensify boosters as a condition for traveling," said Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno at the launch of the Toyota EV Smart Mobility Project in the Lake Toba area, Samosir, North Sumatra, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, July 20.

He emphasized that he was still optimistic that he could achieve the target of tourism visits agreed by the government with the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR-RI), namely 1.8 to 3.6 million foreign tourist visits and 550 million domestic tourist movements.

Thus, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy hopes that the tourism sector can create 1.1 million new jobs in 2022 and 4.4 million new jobs in 2024.

"We are optimistic and full of hope. We pray to God Almighty, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, hopefully, we can control this pandemic and we can comply with health protocols, so that we can maintain the momentum of this revival," said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno.

Moreover, he saw the G20 Presidency of Indonesia providing benefits for tourist arrivals to Indonesia. He gave an example at the W20 meeting in Parapat, North Sumatra, today also attended by delegates from many countries including Europe, America, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia.

"We need to be grateful for this and we need to capitalize on this in order to provide welfare for the community," said the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy.

He also revealed that there were several investment commitments in the Lake Toba Area which is one of the five Super Priority Tourism Destinations (DPSP) in terms of accommodation, namely from Art Hotel, Dafan Group, and Eiger to build glamping. "We are still calculating the amount, but the target this year can be realized," he said.

The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy also revealed the commitment of Lion Air and Air Asia Group to add more flights, so that it is hoped that it will reduce the price of airline tickets to make them more affordable.

"We are increasing the number of flights, we are increasing the availability of seats, we hope there will be a gradual decrease (ticket prices). We hope that with the cooperation of all parties and the avtur price can also be stable, this will start to return to normal in the second half of the second semester of 2022," he said.

He also said that what is interesting now is the focus on environmental sustainability-based tourism. Therefore, he supports various efforts that are able to create environmentally friendly tourism, including Toyota Indonesia's initiative to invite the public, especially tourists, to try out the C+pot electric car and the Prius hybrid car, in a number of tourist destinations.

Last year, Toyota held the EV Smart Mobility Project in Bali and is now holding a similar program in the Lake Toba area, Samosir, North Sumatra.