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AFTER occupying the position of Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno also moved quickly, in implementing in an effort to revive the tourism sector and the creative economy from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here, in this part two, traveltext.id summarizes the questions from the medias that were specifically answered by Minister Sandiaga Uno during the closing press conference in December 2020.
In 2021, there will be many challenges that will be faced by the tourism sector in the future because the pandemic period cannot be predicted when it will end, what strategic steps will the Minister take to encourage Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to go digital and dominate our e-commerce market? Then, what about the Minister’s efforts to boost our tourism foreign exchange in the next year?
During the current pandemic, Kemenparekraf implemented a strategy in two phases, namely; this year as a phase to face COVID-19 and 2021 as a phase to recover from COVID-19. In this short-term phase, in 2021 to restore the creative economy sector, we will continue the Government Incentive Assistance (BIP) program in the context of increasing working capital or investing in increasing business and production capacity, especially in the 6 leading creative economy sub-sectors by involving many MSMEs. This year BIP was awarded to 232 business entities in the tourism and creative economy sectors, namely; culinary, fashion, craft, application, game developer, animated-video film, homestay.
Meanwhile in the tourism sector, during the recovery period we will focus on efforts to restore the confidence of world tourists in tourism destinations in Indonesia, namely by implementing CHSE-based health protocols (Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environment) including in 5 super priority destinations that will become power Indonesia’s new tourism attraction in attracting quality tourists from all over the world.
What are the KPI’s you got from President Joko Widodo?
As mandated by President Joko Widodo, this year’s KPI (Key Performace Indicator) will focus on accelerating infrastructure development in 5 super priority destinations, preparing a Calendar of Events (COE) mainly in 5 super priority destinations, and implementing health protocols based on CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environment) as an effort to restore trust in the tourism sector. Domestic and foreign tourists will feel safe and comfortable when visiting tourism destinations in Indonesia because they have implemented the CHSE. The President also hopes that the creative economy can drive the community’s economy and create many jobs.
What has been the Ministry of Tourism’s big learning regarding the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic which will impact the tourism sector during 2020? Because of course with this learning, is there a possibility that a pandemic will still be ongoing in 2021 and its impact on the tourism sector can be more mitigated and reduce the risk of greater losses?
We certainly learn a lot from what has happened during 2020. However, in 2021, we will carry out a lot of collaboration, innovation and adaptation with various parties so that all parties related to the tourism sector and the creative economy can support and sustain the existence of other parties. By strengthening this, it is hoped that business actors, both MSME and industry (especially those engaged in tourism) can survive and develop their business simultaneously.
During 2020, how much total stimulus did the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy provide for the tourism sector and creative economy, then what were the results/developments in the tourism sector and the creative economy in each given region? What are the plans and budgets prepared to boost the tourism sector and creative economy in 2021?
The tourism sector received a stimulus program in 2020 amounting to IDR3.8 trillion, which was earmarked as a grant of IDR3.3 trillion for the restoration of hotels, restaurants and affected tourism areas. Line incentive of IDR430 billion (this budget allocation is at the Ministry of Transportation to facilitate access for tourists’ trips to tourist destinations; and an additional incentive of IDR70 billion to build trust and market interest in tourism and the creative economy in Homeland.
The distribution of this tourism grant, according to reports as of December 17, 2020, has reached IDR1.63 trillion or 49.65% to 89 regions. We hope that this tourism grant can be continued in 2021 considering that we are still in the recovery process.
Meanwhile assistance was provided in the form of Government Incentive Assistance (BIP) for the creative sector. In the context of increasing working capital or investment in increasing business and production capacity, especially in the 6 sub-sectors of creative economy tourism, namely; culinary, fashion, craft, application, game developer, video-animation, homestay. In 2020 BIP funds amounting to IDR25 billion were distributed to 232 business entities in the tourism and creative economy sectors.
What 100 programs will the Ministry of Tourism be doing in reviving it the tourism sector in this new normal era?
As mandated by President Joko Widodo and Vice President Makruf Amin, the Ministry of Tourism will focus on accelerating infrastructure development in 5 super priority destinations, preparing a Calendar of Events (COE) mainly in 5 super priority destinations, and implementing CHSE-based health protocols (Cleanliness, Health, Safety and Environment) as an effort to restore confidence in the tourism sector. Domestic and foreign tourists will feel safe and comfortable when visiting tourism destinations in Indonesia because they have implemented the CHSE.
For the creative economy sector, as the mandate of the President and Vice President, we strive with innovation, adaptation, and collaboration in order to move the people’s economy while creating broad employment opportunities from the creative economy.
So far, there have been many obstacles between the central government and business players that are detrimental to business players. One of them was the sudden decision of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs & Investment, who suddenly required a COVID-19 test before entering Bali. which ended up causing a loss of IDR967 billion. How do you regulate and ensure that central government policies do not harm business players?
The key is synergy and coordination. In the future with 3 strategies, namely; innovation, adaptation, and collaboration by involving all tourism stakeholders with the strengths of Pentahelix tourism (academics, business people, government, communities, and media) are expected to accelerate the recovery of the tourism sector and the creative economy. [traveltext.id]
