TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno urged tourists to be thoughtful in choosing a travel agent to avoid travel scams, especially those offering packages at low prices. “Moreover, those offering unrealistic travel packages online,” he said on Monday, Feb. 21.

Sandiaga issued the statement in response to the travel scam case experienced by a TikTok artist Kelly Courtney and her entourage. They got scammed by a shady travel agent and paid Rp12 million for a travel package in Labuan Bajo. Fortunately, the owner of the travel agency paid back the money.

As the case went viral, the ministry along with the West Manggarai Tourism and Culture Agency and the Labuan Baju Flores Authority (BPOLBF) investigated the case, feared it might tarnish the good image of Labuan Bajo tourism as a super-priority destination.

“It turned out to be committed by an employee of the travel agent,” the minister added.

He also reminded tourists to first check the legality of the travel agent before traveling on vacation. Specifically for Labuan Bajo, tourists could rely on the list of official 263 travel agents recommended by BPOLBF.

To prevent such travel scams from recurring, Sandiaga Uno also asked travel associations including ASITA to always provide guidance for their members so as not to commit shameful practices that harm tourists. “Let alone when we are working hard to revive the tourism sector that is hit hard by the pandemic,” the minister asserted.

Read: Sandiaga Uno Assures Labuan Bajo to Host Upcoming G20 Meeting

ANTARA