TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno planned to design a free staycation program as a form of appreciation for health workers who have treated COVID-19 patients during the pandemic.

“As the COVID-19 trends decline, we’d like to give health workers the staycation program that is currently being prepared by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, particularly the Deputy for Marketing,” said Sandiaga in his statement on Thursday, October 21.

He said the staycation program is part of the efforts to reactivate the tourism industry. Staycation is a holiday spent at a hotel, resort, or villa within the country.

According to Sandiaga, staycation which has recently become a trend has a multiplier effect on tourism recovery as it can boost visits or hotel occupancy rates by up to 40 percent.

“This is expected to increase the involvement of approximately 8,600 workers, both directly and indirectly, by reactivating the industry,” Sandiaga Uno added.

In addition, the staycation program could increase local revenue from the hotel accommodation sector and land transportation.

The ministry’s Deputy for Marketing Nia Niscaya said health workers and medical staffers willing to take the staycation program could attach a letter of recommendation from the hospital. “We ask hospitals to provide a list of names of health workers who can receive this award from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy,” said Nia.

Read: Sandiaga Uno Suggests Staycation to Spend New Year Holiday

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA