Wishnutama Predicts Turning Point for Tourism Industry in 2021
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18 April 2020 10:05 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy Wishnutama Kusubandio has asked businesses in the tourism sector to remain optimistic, as he predicts a turning point in the performance of the sector will be after the COVID-19 outbreak, in 2021.
Currently, the ministry continues to make various efforts geared to keep the tourism ecosystem afloat.
“The president has given directions for the Ministry to carry out a social protection program for businesses in the tourism sector. As a result, the Ministry will reallocate a budget of Rp500 billion; potentially even more,” Wishnutama said, on Thursday, April 16, 2020.
The reallocation of the budget has been considered paramount in mitigating the negative impacts of the coronavirus outbreak on the tourism sector and the creative economy. Moreover, the minister continued, his office will coordinate closely with the Ministry of Finance to continue providing various assistance for businesses in the tourism sector.
"We will also carry out various kinds of programs that are labor-intensive and more studies with the relevant ministries will first be carried out, including economic stimuli geared to ensure (business) survival through the current situation," Wishnutama said.
Furthermore, during the recovery period, the Ministry will prepare destinations in accordance with the 'new normal' conditions, while also prioritizing health and safety. The ministry will also be offering a number of improved services, such as local experience and visitor management, in order to avoid a tourist build-up.
In addition, tourism destinations will be encouraged to improve and be more disciplined in applying the principles of sustainable tourism development.
President Joko Widodo has previously assured that the sluggishness of the tourism sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic will only last until the end of the year.
"I believe this will only be until the end of the year. Next year, there will be an (economic) boom in the field of tourism," Jokowi said via video conference when opening the COVID-19 mitigation meeting in tourism and the creative economy, on Thursday, April 16.
FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | Translator: DIO SUHENDA (Intern)