ER
IT TURNS out that the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a change in the preferences of tourists who want quality tourism.
According to Surana, the Coordinator of Competency Improvement for Tourism Human Resources at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, said tourists now have different interests and concerns regarding tourist attractions, transportation, accommodation and cleanliness compared to the period before the pandemic.
“In the end, people will choose quality tourism. Before the pandemic, many people traveled to crowded places. But now there are restrictions on the capacity of visitors at tourist attractions. From the transportation side such as choosing airlines, tourists before the pandemic will think about the number and duration transit and flight prices. After the pandemic, the considerations are sanitation facilities, short transit times and direct flights,” he said.
He explained that in terms of product preferences, crowded attractions in urban areas and tours with large groups were in great demand. Today, health tourism and outdoor activities as well as private tours with fewer members are more in demand. Meanwhile, in terms of accommodation, tourists are currently concerned with sanitation and safety and choose a place that is separate from others, such as a villa or resort.
“This year, foreign tourist arrivals are still low. Last year there were 4.05 million foreign tourists, down from 16.11 million foreign tourists who came in 2019. From January to July 2021, the figure has not reached a quarter of last year,” Surana noted.
Meanwhile, the number of domestic tourists in 2020 is estimated at 198 million, down 29.7% compared to the 2019 figure, which was 282.9 million trips. The activity of domestic tourists in 2021 had improved until June, but was restrained by the policy of restricting mobility due to the soaring number of COVID-19 cases.
Surana is optimistic that tourism will soon rise through domestic tourists. Domestic tourists can have an impact on economic distribution.
On the other hand, Chairman of the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association Didien Junaedy reminded tourism business actors to remember that COVID-19 as an invisible enemy has not yet been completely overcome. Therefore, the health protocol should not be ignored even if the case has been sloping. Implement health protocols in a solid manner. [antaranews/photo special]
