TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno reportedly asked Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to discuss a potential partnership in setting up a travel bubble. Indonesia and Singapore are imposing border restrictions on foreign nationals in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sandiaga claimed Indonesia is focusing on boosting the number of domestic tourists to revive the tourism and creative economy sector. However, that does not close the possibility to conduct a travel corridor.

“I think it is not impossible to relax it (the tourism), such as with Singapore. Because the entry points of tourists from Singapore are Batam and Bintan,” said the minister on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

He also promoted Bali, Jakarta, Batam, and Bintan to be prioritized for Covid-19 vaccination since the regions serve as the entry gates of tourists.

"Indonesia has kicked off vaccinations. I have negotiated to grant Bali, Jakarta, Batam, and Bintan a priority considering that Bali's economy sees a recession, at minus 4 percent, due to a drop in tourism performance. [The tourism in] Batam and Bintan is also paralyzed,” said Sandiaga Uno.

Singapore's Minister Vivian, meanwhile, said that although the Singapore-Indonesia travel bubble plan has not yet been concluded, the two countries could discuss the preparations, including regulations and strict health protocol policies from each country.

Read: Indonesia's Travel Bubble Scheme Targets 3 Countries

NINIS CHAIRUNNISA