A Not-So-Beautiful View of Indonesia Tourism during Covid-19 Pandemic

KOMPAS.com – Indonesia’s tourism chief admitted that the perception of tourism in Indonesia is not looking favorable during the coronavirus pandemic.

“The perception of tourism in Indonesia overseas during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in Australia, has been quite negative in part due to media reports," Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Wishnutama Kusubandio said. "Reports from other countries have not been that bad."

Improving the image of Indonesia’s tourism sector amid the coronavirus pandemic will require comradery from all Indonesians.

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Wishnutama also highlighted the role of Indonesian media in shaping a positive perception of foreigners towards the country's tourism sector.

Should such tasks prove successful, tourism in Indonesia has the chance to recover even amid the pandemic, which is particularly useful for places like Bali where residents rely heavily on tourism.

“I hope that our friends from the media will help see the positive side of what the central and regional governments have been doing to prop up Indonesian tourism, in particular with regard to the implementation of health protocols,” said Wishnutama.

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He also mentioned how the Covid-19 health protocols in place in Bali are already sufficient though there is always room for improvement, on which the ministry is willing to assist.

Bali Vice Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati or ‘Cok Ace’ shared Wishnutama’s view, saying there is already an available health protocol guidebook.