ASITA Optimistic on Tourism Growth Despite Extreme Weather

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesia Tour and Travel Association (ASITA) is hopeful for positive growth of tourism during the year-end holidays despite the extreme weather, says Asita deputy chairperson Budijanto Ardiansjah in a phone call to Tempo on Wednesday evening. 

“Yes, we are hopeful for [tourist visits to increase],” said Ardiansjah on December 28. 

He then revealed that this year’s Christmas and New Year’s eve holidays are not celebrated with dedicated collective leaves as both holidays fall on weekends. This, he believes, will limit the chance for people to take holidays. 

However, he is optimistic that days after December 29 until January 2-3, 2023, a number of tourist destinations will experience an influx in visitors. 

“The school vacation period will still last until January 8. We’ll see. We can only hope that it will be good,” said the ASITA deputy.

As for the impact of extreme weather on New Year's Eve, Budijanto admitted that he had not received any reports regarding cancellations of tour trips. "There hasn't been any (reports of cancellation) yet," he said.

According to him, tourist trips at the end of the year are usually booked in advance. "So we haven't heard of any massive reports of cancellations. I think in the field there might be one or two. But it's not too affected, huh," he said.

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI | M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH

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