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THE pandemic made many sectors need to adapt to new habits, including the tourism sector and the creative economy.
According to the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut B. Pandjaitan, said the COVID-19 pandemic had a big impact on many sectors, especially for the tourism sector, this was reflected in the reduction of foreign tourists as well as our foreign exchange.
Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency, recorded tourist trips fell to close to 100% compared to previous months. According to Menko Luhut, the decline can be felt directly by 180,000 workers in the tourism sector and the creative economy.
“More than 2,000 hotels and inns experienced operational stops. This causes a decrease in demand for raw materials, such as oil, eggs, and milk. These are all very broad effects,” Luhut said.
Therefore, continued Luhut, we encourage a gradual increase in domestic tourists to 70%. But according to him, the paradigm in traveling needs to change, from a mass paradigm that emphasizes the number of tourists, to a quality paradigm that emphasizes added value.
“Therefore I entrust the areas to be visited in order to be completely complete with this health protocol,” he said.
Minister Luhut later added that the government had taken a number of steps to start developing quality destinations. Around Rp3.8 trillion is earmarked for the tourism sector and the creative economy. In addition to funding for tourism, the government is also encouraging the digitalization of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
“Data shows that sales on digital platforms increased 8 times and will even increase to 16 times until the end of this year. With the digitalization of MSMEs, it is expected that the velocity of money can occur at the small economic level during this pandemic,” he noted.
Luhut explained that the government also encouraged the activities of the central government to be carried out in the regions, thus bringing a positive economic impact on the economy, especially in the tourism and creative economy sectors.
“I ask the local government to ensure the safety of tourism workers and surrounding communities and truly local governments, I beg once again to remind people to comply with health protocols, use masks, keep their distance and wash their hands,” said Luhut reminded the local government of tourist destinations to keep the health protocol tight. [traveltext.id]
