TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno, said that this year's budget allocation for the tourism sector will be increased. In 2020, the government disbursed IDR2.2 trillion for 6,700 hotels and 7,600 restaurants.

"We will increase the budget to around 2.7 to 3.7 trillion rupiahs. The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) can lobby Pak Menko [Coordinating Minister for Economy Airlangga Hartarto] because the decision is on Menko and President," said Sandiaga in the PHRI's work meeting on Thursday, March 18, 2021.

Sandiaga said that the tourism grant was necessary as the government was keen to open the widest possible job opportunities and revive the economy. Besides, the fund was also expected to boost the spirit of tourism players.

On the same occasion, PHRI chairman Hariyadi Sukamdani hoped that the government would issue a debt restructuring policy for the tourism sector.

"For this debt restructuring, we also ask Mas Minister (Sandiaga Uno) to help monitor and fight it at the Finance Ministry. Without intervention in banking, the potential for default is really high and the tourism players are prone to bankruptcy," said Hariyadi.

Additionally, Hariyadi said his side had also requested working capital assistance from the government for the tourism sector.

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CAESAR AKBAR