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EFFORTS to promote the reopening of Bali and Riau Islands for foreign tourists continue to be carried out by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in line with the government’s decision to reopen entrances for tourists from 19 countries since October 14, 2021.
According to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, in an online ‘Weekly Press Briefing’ on Monday (10/25), in Kaimana, Sorong, Papua, said the promotion was carried out by cooperating with travel agencies in 19 countries listed in the Decree of the Head of the Task Force. COVID-19 Number 15 of 2021 was also carried out with a strict monitoring and evaluation (monev) process.
“We collaborate with travel agencies in 19 countries and through our own media and the #ItsTimeforBali campaign we have also triggered activation from Indonesian representatives abroad to encourage the tourism industry, especially in Bali to amplify their respective destination channels,” said Sandiaga Uno.
Sandiaga said that the promotion was also carried out with a strict monitoring and evaluation (monev) process. Entering the second week since the reopening of international flights from these 19 countries, there are several evaluations that are of concern. Such as improving regulations regarding airport entry points in Bali and Riau Islands, synchronizing quarantine hotel data owned by the Ministry of Health, the Bali Port Health Office, and the Bali Tourism Board.
As well as re-discussion with the Kemenkomarves regarding insurance and Task Force Decree Number 15 of 2021 which states that tourists are not allowed to leave the designated rooms or villas.
“We continue to improve the entry point regulations in Bali and Riau Islands, synchronization and also regarding the proposed use of Live on Board (LOB), namely quarantine onboard the phinisi ship and the insurance payment scheme is also continuously refined,” he stated.
On that occasion, Sandiaga also gave a response regarding the mandatory PCR swab test as a condition for traveling by airplane. Sandiaga said this was an effort to increase public confidence in air travel.
“Because the conditions for this flight are no longer reduced in capacity, 100% of flights have been made. So, a decision was taken (implementing a PCR swab as a condition of flying) to provide confidence that the traveler does not have COVID-19,” explained Sandiaga.
In a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo, the president said that the implementation of the PCR swab test was part of the strict and disciplined implementation of the health protocol.
“We will continue to tighten this socialization and apply new conditions (validity period for PCR swab results) 3 x 24 hours and the President’s request to lower the PCR price below IDR300 thousand. Because this is to anticipate the Christmas and New Year holidays and the third wave of COVID-19, also related to the emergence of new variants such as Delta X and Sub Delta in several parts of the world,” concluded Sandiaga.
Sandiaga appealed to the public to remain patient and not be trapped in euphoria with the reopening of the tourism sector in Indonesia. We must apply health protocols strictly and with discipline by conducting testing because there are around 100 more districts and cities that have increased new cases, including the use of PeduliLindungi, compliance must be increased. [traveltext.id]
