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COORDINATING Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto hopes that the I Do Care or Indonesia Care program, which was initiated by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, will be able to revive the tourism industry from adversity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With the I Do Care program, the tourism industry is expected to be able to improve service standards so that it can certainly gain the trust of tourists, both domestic and foreign,” said Coordinating Minister Airlangga in his remarks for the 2021 National Tourism Coordination Meeting online, Monday (9/27).
Coordinating Minister Airlangga said the government had implemented the Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environment (CHSE) program which is part of I Do Care.
Through this program, he continued, the tourism sector and the creative economy can be a guide in applying the principles of cleanliness, health protocols, visitor safety, and environmental sustainability.
“Of course, it is also hoped that if it is followed up with inter-ministerial cooperation, for example with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, to the reopening of international flight services with discussions and discussions with the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other parties,” said Airlangga.
Airlangga explained that the government allocated IDR7.67 trillion to support the development of national tourism strategic areas, ecotourism, and training of tourism human resources. The government also launched the Government Incentive Assistance (BIP) program for the tourism sector and the creative economy.
“There is an increase in the BIP budget to IDR60 billion, which is three times higher than in 2020,” he remarked.
In addition, the government also provides tourism grant funds to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and efforts to maintain economic sustainability, especially in the tourism sector.
The grant funds are provided through a transfer mechanism to the regions aimed at local governments and tourism businesses in 101 regencies/cities based on a number of criteria, including the capital cities of 34 provinces being in 10 priority tourist destinations and 5 super priority destinations, included in the 100 calendar of events, regional branding destinations as well as income from hotel and regional taxes of at least 15% of the total PAD 2019.
“Last year’s tourism grant was disbursed IDR3.3 trillion, this year it was increased to IDR3.7 trillion and this is part of an enhanced social protection program. The grant funds are not only used in the hotel and restaurant sector, but can also be used for travel agencies, destination managers and recreational parks,” Airlangga concluded. [photo traveltext.id]
