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THE INDONESIA’S Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno invited ministers in the Southeast Asia region to cooperate in reopening the region to foreign tourists. He conveyed this at the Global Tourism Forum: Hybrid Event Leaders Summit Asia Indonesia 2021 on Wednesday (9/15), especially in the Ministers Talk session: Reopening ASEAN Tourism Destinations for International Tourist.
In the session, he described three things, including collaboration, implementing health and safety regulations, and organizing activities. First, let’s share the latest information regarding the pandemic, health and safety protocols, especially vaccinations and CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety, Environmental Sustainability) procedures to reach a common understanding.
Furthermore, he also invited ministers to ensure the implementation of health and safety regulations. While these regulations are often considered difficult for travellers, their role is very important to ensure that the Southeast Asian region can cope with the pandemic.
“Thirdly, I would like to invite Mr. Bulut Bagci as President of the World Tourism Forum Institute to work closely with ASEAN countries to create programs and activities to accelerate the recovery of tourism in the region. Indonesia is ready for new initiatives and is looking forward to cooperation with other ministers,” he said.
He added that the country’s leaders have communicated effectively with each other, but it would be more efficient and effective if improved.
In this session, Sandiaga explained a number of main aspects to achieve the reopening plan, including the implementation of health protocols, COVID-19 vaccination, and revitalizing tourist destinations.
“With the help of the industry, we hope that the tourism sector will rise by the end of this year in line with the preparations for the Indonesian G20 Presidency. Although most of the activities will be in Bali, a number of other events related to the G20 Presidency will also be held in other areas, including in Jakarta, Borobudur and Labuan Bajo,” he noted.
He explained that when we implement an end-to-end-based health protocol, (foreign tourists) will be ready to come (to Indonesia) of course with strict rules in terms of health.
Besides Sandiaga, the event was also attended by other ASEAN ministers who explained the readiness of their respective countries to welcome foreign tourists. Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, for example, explained about the Phuket Sandbox program and plans to receive foreign tourists vaccinated against COVID-19 in October.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Minister of Trade and Industry as well as Culture, Community and Youth, Alvin Tan, said that 82% of his citizens had been vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition to protecting its citizens with COVID-19 vaccination, Alvin explained that his party is also building domestic tourism capabilities. [sources/kompas.com/photo special]
