ER
EVEN THOUGH we all know the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in China is increasing every day and in fact all countries have strictly enforced mandatory requirements for travelers from China to present a negative result for a COVID-19 test or proof of full-dose vaccination with a vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, actually said that Indonesia is very ready to welcome foreign tourists, including those from China, considering that the Bamboo Curtain country will open its borders on January 8, 2023.
“(Indonesia’s readiness is due to) the COVID-19 pandemic situation is under control, even the level of immunity or immunity of the Indonesian people is above 98%. In addition, President Joko Widodo on Friday (12/30), 2022 has officially lifted the Implementation of Restricting Community Activities (PPKM),” he said in the Weekly Press Briefing in Jakarta, Wednesday (01/04).
Until now, the Indonesia’s government is still implementing the Circular Letter (SE) of the Task Force (Satgas) Handling COVID-19 Number 25 dated 1 September 2022 for Arrangements for Foreign Travelers (PPLN). However, related ministries/agencies are still coordinating to formulate the best policy.
“In welcoming Chinese tourists, we do it in principle, of course, to be open with great care,” said Sandiaga.
Sandiaga also explained that there had been several requests from international Chinese airlines to open direct flights to Jakarta and Bali, such as Air China, China Eastern and China Southern. Even national airlines such as Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air and Batik Air are also expected to be able to fulfill the demand for these direct flights.
This direct flight is said to make it easier for Chinese tourists coming to Indonesia. This is because usually Chinese tourists who want to go to Bali go through Singapore first, then go to Soekarno Hatta Airport using domestic flights to I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali. Another alternative, Chinese tourists use direct flights from Singapore to Bali.
As for the number of visits by foreign tourists from China and Hong Kong, according to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), there were only 94,924 visits during the January-October 2022 period. This number is still relatively small compared to before the pandemic which touched 2.07 million visits by foreign tourists from China in 2019.
“Therefore, we are very confident that the target of tourists from China this year (2023) will be realized,” Sandiaga concluded. [antaranews/photo special]
