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THE tourism industry in Bali has expressed its readiness to undergo a new order of normalcy which in practice will further promote hygiene, health and safety protocols as the main needs of tourists.
According to ASEAN Market Chair from ASITA Bali Febrina Budiman in the International Tourism Webinar in Indonesia activity organized by the Ministry of Tourism for the Singapore and Malaysia markets, Thursday (4/6) said, there were 400 tour operators and travel agents who are members of ASITA Bali have stated they are ready to welcome the new normality of tourism.
“We are very optimistic that we can ‘make friends’ with COVID-19 or in other words we must be friends even though we cannot be friends forever,” Febrina Budiman said.
Febrina added, the optimism of tourism businesses and the creative economy in Bali was not without reason. Starting from a very difficult situation due to COVID-19 when the government closed access to international entrances, especially from China in February 2020. Entering March 2020, the government then decided to close all international flights which meant tourists from various potential markets were also stopped.
“But the success of the local government together with the local community in controlling COVID-19 makes the industry optimistic looking at a new phase of Bali tourism. Recorded until Thursday (04/06) the number of positive cases in Bali reached 510 people with 364 people recovered and 5 people died. The faster handling of COVID-19, the faster the economy will rise,” she said.
Febrina explained, we are very grateful for this condition and are grateful to the local government and the local community. ASITA Bali itself has designed hygiene, health and safety protocols and ensured that these will be implemented closely together with all stakeholders in tourism and the creative economy in Bali.
“Starting from the pre-arrival of tourists, when arriving at the airport and to the hotel, when doing tour activities, and returning to the airport for flights to the country of origin of tourists. In other words, the industry is fully prepared to provide a sense of comfort and security and new experiences for tourists in the new normalcy order of tourism. But for now the opening of destinations still depends on the government’s decision,” Febrina concluded.
Meanwhile the Deputy of Marketing for the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Nia Niscaya said on the same occasion that from the beginning the government committed and prepared steps to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector and the creative economy.
“Including the preparation of a new normality order protocol for tourism and the creative economy now with a program of Cleanliness, Health, and Safety (CHS) involving the industry. Before opening a destination we need to build confidence in order to provide a sense of security and comfort for tourists. And here are the steps,” Nia Niscaya noted.
In the program the Ministry of Tourism & Creative Economy divides into two stages, namely Gaining Confidence and Appealing. Gaining Confidence starts from the preparation of the CHS protocol which will later be packaged through interesting video tutorials and easy-to-understand guidebooks for tourism stakeholders such as hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, tourist destinations, and others. Then proceed with the training, simulation, publication, and campaign stages as well as the application of CHS application.
While in the Appealing stage, Tourism Ministry will run a number of programs such as Mega Famtrip involving key opinion leaders (KOL), the media as well as travel agents and tour operators (TA/TO). Then also make a joint promotion by making tour packages with airlines and TA/TO. Then also prepare the implementation of MICE activities on a small scale.
“But we emphasize that opening a destination depends on the decision of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force and the local government. Because each destination has different situations and conditions,” Nia Niscaya affirmed.
Bali, which is the Nusa Dua area, is planned to be a pilot project for implementing the CHS program. The Nusa Dua area was chosen because of its strategic location and is an exclusive area so that it can be easily monitored. In Nusa Dua is also complete with supporting facilities ranging from accommodation, amenities, and even hospitals on an international scale.
“Indonesia, like many countries, is currently focusing on preparing new normal as a preparation to welcome tourists back. CHS is what we are preparing. We are optimistic we can welcome tourists with new and interesting experiences,” Nia Niscaya concluded. [traveltext.id]
