TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno prepared a number of programs to support this year’s Eid homecoming or mudik period so that people could return to their hometown safely and healthily. The programs were also aimed at restoring the tourism sector during the 2022 Eid al-Fitr holiday.

The first program is a digital activity for followers of the ministry’s social media account and the general public in order to provide education to travelers about the health protocols against COVID-19.

“Travelers can be role models in their respective hometowns in setting a good example of how to implement health protocols,” said Sandiaga in his statement, Monday, April 25.

The ministry also prepared 15 homecoming posts from Lampung to East Java, which were expected to be relaxation corners or rest areas for travelers. The ministry will also distribute 1,200 vouchers as a form of appreciation to homecomers for playing a role in boosting economic revival.

“There is also an alternative route or southern route (JLS) with tourist destinations and the creative economy, including culinary delights,” Sandiaga added.

Additionally, the ministry in tandem with regional tourism agencies designed travel plans consisting of tourism potential and facilities for travelers, for example, Malasari Tourist Village in West Java and Pujon Kidul Tourist Village and Tamansari Tourist Village in East Java.

“Tourist villages are interesting [tourist sites to visit] in the middle of the homecoming trip, because if they are packaged in a fun way, inshallah, this will become a unique tourist destination. This means there must be a comfortable homestay, good attractions, and of course, the readiness of CHSE and health protocols,” the minister outlined.

During this year’s Eid al-Fitr holiday, the government estimated that 85.5 million people will go for mudik trips. The figure is quite large because they could not have the trip for the past two years in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sandiaga Uno also predicted that the economic turnover could reach Rp72 trillion during the Eid homecoming period.

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NINIS CHAIRUNNISA