Survey: Indonesians Ready to Travel during New Normal

KOMPAS.com – After spending more than two months in lockdown, Indonesians in Jakarta and other cities are ready to travel once the new normal goes into full effect.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many Indonesians have had to postpone their travel plans.

The closing of borders happened throughout much of the world followed by airlines cutting many flights, Indonesia included.

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

As some provinces across Indonesia are in the new normal transition, many provincial governments have started discussing plans to reopen their tourism sector.

Wakatobi, the Gili Islands, and Bali are among some of the most popular tourist destinations in Indonesia that have either opened their doors to tourists or plan to.

A survey by Pegipegi revealed that 67 percent of Indonesians are ready to travel again in the new normal.

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On the other hand, around 33 percent of the survey respondents do not have plans to travel.

Pegipegi’s survey was conducted in Indonesia from June 8 to 12 and was distributed to 900 respondents.

“We understand that Indonesian society has been trying their best to stay at home and avoid traveling for safety and health reasons. In the new normal transition period, we see an uptick in the number of people ready to travel,” said Pegipegi’s Chief Marketing Officer Serlina Wijaya.

Upon the full implementation of the new normal, 73 percent of the Pegipegi survey respondents plan on traveling within the first two months. The reasons for traveling vary.

The majority of respondents (33 percent) would like to travel for family reasons.

This is followed by 26 percent of respondents wanting to travel for a change in scenery. Business and education were also reasons stated by respondents.

Around 31 percent of respondents have stated their desire to travel with their partner or do it solo.

Traveling with extended family makes up 28 percent of the survey’s respondents.

Respondents citing plans to travel with friends make up 9 percent of the survey’s total response.

The research findings also shed light on some consumer behavior leading up to the new normal.

Nearly 47 percent of survey respondents stated price as the deciding factor in determining their traveling plans.

Cleanliness comes in second place at 29 percent and refund possibility makes up 18 percent of the survey’s respondents.

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Nonetheless, in the new normal, it is expected that travelers will be considering Covid-19-related health and safety protocols in their travel plans.

This reflects a growing public awareness of maintaining one’s health and hygiene to prevent being infected by the Covid-19 virus.