Indonesia Dangles Tour Package Discounts for Locals to Prop Up Tourism Sector

KOMPAS.com – Indonesians will be lured into local tourist destinations, thanks to the Indonesian tour discount package program starting in 2021.

Prior to announcing the program that forms part of the country's tourism stimulus package, Coordinating Minister For Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan shared that the Indonesian government has set aside Rp 1 trillion for a tourism stimulus package set to be disbursed in December 2020.

The fund disbursement of the stimulus package, aimed at restoring Indonesia’s tourism sector, will be in conjunction with the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines in the country.

Read also: Jokowi Optimistic Tourism Will Revive After People Receive Covid-19 Vaccine Shots

The Indonesia tour discount package entitles every Indonesian discounts of up to 50 percent per National ID Card Number (NIK). Each individual can receive a maximum discount of Rp 2.35 million per NIK.

“The maximum discount has been set to Rp 2.35 million per NIK. Through this measure, it is hoped that a multiplier effect happens by around 4.58 times to 5.85 times or amounting to Rp 9.34 trillion to Rp 11.93 trillion,” explained Luhut.

Indonesia issued the stimulus package for the tourism sector specifically because it has been severely battered by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

What else is expected by issuing the tourism-oriented stimulus package?

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Vice Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Angela Tanoesoedibjo explained that every Indonesian tourist must fulfill some requirements before availing of the tour discount package.

The Indonesian government will launch the program only if Covid-19 vaccinations have started in Indonesia and if the situation is conducive, she added.

“The Indonesia tour discount package is aimed to prop up domestic tourism because, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the level of trust concerning hygiene at tourist destinations as well as purchasing power has been negatively affected.” 

The Tourism and Creative Economy Vice Minister also explained that the ministry will disburse Rp 3.3 trillion in grants for hotel and restaurant business owners in addition to local governments.

Read also: Indonesia Sails Ahead to Restore Tourism Sectors Pre-Covid-19 Glory

Around 30 percent of the total grant aims to assist local governments in handling the coronavirus pandemic within the tourism and creative economy sector.

The remaining 70 percent of the grant will be allocated to aid businesses in the hotel and restaurant sector for their daily operational expenses and for the proper implementation of Covid-19 health protocols. 

(Writer: Nicholas Ryan Aditya | Editor: Anggara Wikan Prasetya)

Source: https://travel.kompas.com/read/2020/10/19/080800727/pemerintah-akan-beri-diskon-wisata-rp-2-35-juta-per-orang-pada-2021-ini?page=all#page2