ASEAN Streamlines Southeast Asia Travel Promotion and Covid-19 Updates

KOMPAS.com – The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy will make full use of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) tourism page to advance its campaign to win back visitors as the region's travel sector reels from the impact of the pandemic.

The measure is part of ASEAN Member-States’ mutual agreement to maximize the use of digital media.

ASEAN Member-States agreed to use visitseasia.travel as an information gateway for Southeast Asia travel promotion and Covid-19 updates.

Also Read: Airlines and Hotels in Indonesia Need 2 Years to Recover Post Pandemic

The Ministry’s Director of Interagency Relations, Kartika Candra Negara, said ASEAN’s focus during this time of crisis is to win back trust from tourists.

ASEAN must demonstrate to travelers its ability to maintain hygiene, health, and safety post pandemic.

“The global community wants to know ASEAN member-states’ strategy and management of the Covid-19 novel virus as well as what has been done by their tourism industry stakeholders,” said Kartika.

Visitseasia.travel features information on Southeast Asia travel and Covid-19 updates, travel advisory, and measures as well as positive results of each ASEAN member-state’s management of the novel virus.

Also Read: Indonesia Coronavirus Cases Break Three Records in One Week

According to Kartika, technology and digital media offer a new approach to life and daily routines in the new normal.

The pandemic is set to lead each ASEAN country into the new normal, hence the importance of upholding health and hygiene standards among hospitality professionals.

“This is something that the tourism industry will soon experience. We have to respond to the challenge by working together because we’ll be stronger together,” Kartika told Kompas.com.

Ministry of Tourism’s digital platform

Indonesia has moved ahead in providing various information services and tourist services in support of Southeast Asia travel promotion and Covid-19 information.

Similar to ASEAN, Indonesia has also forged ahead by maximizing digital technology via social media and digital media.

Also Read: Ministry of Transportation Set to Launch Covid-19 Tracking App

Indonesia’s Ministry of Health has packaged health protocols information for tourists in both digital and paper editions.

The country’s tourism industry bases its response on the Ministry of Tourism Regulation Number 10 Year 2019 on Tourism Crisis Management, according to Head of the Tourism Ministry’s Communications Bureau Agustini Rahayu.

“The Indonesian government has provided the covid19.go.id website that is managed by the National Covid-19 Task Force as the official source of the country’s Covid-19 data,” said Agustini.

“The Ministry of Tourism has a dedicated microsite pedulicovid19.kemenparekraf.go.id which provides details on Coronavirus-related management in the tourism and creative economy sectors,” she added.

Agustini hopes that communities and tourists will find convenience in retrieving travel information regarding Covid-19 updates in the tourism and creative economy sectors through the use of digital technology. (Writer: Inang Jalaludin | Editor: Mikhael Gewati)

Source: https://kilaskementerian.kompas.com/kemenparekraf/read/2020/06/05/142831727/asean-optimalkan-informasi-penanganan-covid-19-dan-promosi-wisata-melalui