TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As the government slowly lifts the COVID-19 restriction by introducing the idea of living a ‘new normal’, travel agents and hotel management - which were severely affected by the restrictions - are starting to slowly operate again as the government has permitted local tourism again.

Deputy chairman of the Association of Air Ticketing Companies in Indonesia (Astindo), Anton Sumarli, on Thursday said that there is less than 10 percent of its members that have started to offer travel packages.

“There are some that are offering trips for October, but they are still gambling as they constantly monitor market demand,” said Sumarli to Tempo on June 25.

He said that travel agents will probably focus on providing a plethora of options for land transportation as the public still prefers to travel close-distances. Astindo comprises more than 1,000 active tour agencies and has constantly gathered to talk about the new normal tourism trend.

“We need data from regional governments about people’s trends and interests. So we can provide travel packages that would fit the pandemic era,” said Anton Sumarli.

Meanwhile, the Association of The Indonesian Tours And Travel Agencies (ASITA) deputy chairman, Budijanto Ardiansyah, said services that are available are still limited to few segments such as city tours and other localized tours.

“Long-distance tour guides have yet been activated because the locals usually don’t need that,” said Ardiansyah. “We are seeking opportunities with packages that are possible to be offered.”

Read: Tips for Traveling in 'New Normal'

FRANSISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | AHMAD FIKRI | PRIBADI WICAKSONO | BRAM SETIAWAN