TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio launched the "Book Now, Travel Later" program amid uncertainties caused by the surge in COVID-19 cases. With this program, tourists can reserve tickets or hotels for traveling in the future.

“After the tourism grants, we will keep helping businesses get through this difficult time. One of them is by offering 'Book Now, Travel Later’ for domestic and international tourists,” said the minister as quoted from a press release on Monday, December 21, 2020.

He realized that policies issued by many local governments would affect the tourism business despite being done to curb the coronavirus spread. However, domestic tourists are still allowed to travel so long as they consistently apply the predetermined health protocols.

Through the new tourism program, he added, the government would offer a special booking price that can be used once the situation was safe. The government carried out the program in collaboration with travel agents, hotels, and airlines.

Wishnutama underlined that the tourism sector and the national creative economy would only recover and grow sustainably if the Indonesian people were in good health. Therefore, he hoped for close cooperation from each party in breaking the chain of COVID-19 transmission.

“The travel reservations can be used within the next 24 months and are expected to help with the cash flow of tourism business players,” the minister said.

Read: Ahead of Year-end Holiday, Tourism Ministry Asked to Prep Alternate Tourist Sites

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