Sandiaga Uno Hints on Opening International Tourism in June

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno on Thursday said the government is planning to open its international borders for tourism in mid-2021 if the situation regarding the Covid-19 pandemic improves. 

“I am citing the President, and if the numbers are under control, if we all are obedient and we agree on reciprocity with other countries, we hope in June or July we could start accepting international tourists,” said Sandiaga Uno in the meeting with the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) on March 18.

The government, he went on, is fast-tracking the vaccination program on the Indonesia's resort island to reach the set target, as Bali is the national superior destination.

“Bali is tasked to vaccinate 2-2,5 million before July,” said Sandiaga Uno. He also mentioned that his office and related parties are finalizing the travel bubble scheme, or travel corridor arrangement, before it is pitched to the President in a national meeting. 

Jokowi previously stated his intention to gradually reopen Bali’s tourism sector which he said will only be implemented once the province’s Covid-19 transmission curve has started to flatten. 

Read: Sandiaga Uno Talks of Plan on Direct Flights from Bali to India

CAESAR AKBAR