TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) predicted that nature-based or outdoor tourism will still become a travel trend in 2022 as tourists do not only seek travel experience but also wellness trips amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“People will look for different locations and experiences through outdoor travel experiences,” said PHRI Human Resources Training Chair Alexander Nayoan on Tuesday, November 30.

According to Alexander, tourists will still enjoy sites that provide fresh air and get a healthy and safe experience. In addition, they still tend to choose to travel in small groups consisting of their inner circles.

Many tourists also prefer to schedule their own travel plans, including booking accommodation and tickets through online travel agencies. “So companies that are able to develop today are those that have adapted in the digital era,” Alexander opined.

He also estimated there will be an increase in the number of people traveling between cities or between provinces by road due to better infrastructure. This, he added, would bring good impacts on the economy.

Unfortunately, Alexander said foreign tourist visits could not be expected to boost the country’s tourism. If the situation is safe, tourists from Australia are forecasted to start coming in mid-2022 in line with the local school holidays. Meanwhile, tourists from China may arrive later as the country is still considering various aspects of safe travel. “This all surely depends on regulations of the respective country governments,” he concluded.

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ANTARA