TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The acting-deputy of resources and institutions at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Frans Teguh, said the tourism sector will likely rely on domestic tourists for the next year or two.

“The local market is our strategy. That is the government’s focus in the next year or two. We certainly cannot rely on international tourists,” said Frans in Bisnis Indonesia online seminar on Tuesday, July 28.

The ministry forecasts that international tourist visits will drop 50-60 percent. Meanwhile, domestic tourists would possibly constitute 174 million people, a realistic candidate to become the nation’s tourism industry backbone.

The government is set to “reactivate” the tourism industry by preparing to gradually reopen tourist destinations up to September while gaining public trust through a series of multi-party partnerships in terms of promotional content.

Head of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), Haryadi Sumakdani, said that businesses urge for a government stimulus that will enable the industry to establish the tourism sector to cover operational costs.

Haryadi said the industry needs government assistance in terms of electricity and gas utility payments and tax reliefs.

Read: Yogyakarta Preps to Resume Tourism Activity Next Month

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA