Indonesian Minister, Foreign Envoys Discuss Travel Corridor

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno and several foreign envoys held a meeting to discuss Travel Corridor Arrangements (TCA) following Indonesia's plan to reopen its borders for international tourists in mid-2021.   

Attending the meeting was the ambassadors of Singapore, Vietnam, Russia, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom.

"I had a meeting with several foreign ambassadors. The meeting was held in connection with the reopening of Indonesia's borders for international tourists under the TCA concept,” Sandiaga said on his Instagram account, Wednesday, May 19.

Sandiaga ensured that the plan was continuously discussed, considering various types of inputs from within and outside the country.

Also read: Indonesian Tourism Minister Extends Health Protocols to the Surf

He also ensured that the implementation of Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environment Sustainability (CHSE) in the tourism sector would always be adhered to.

"The discussion about TCA refers to the latest conditions,” Sandiaga said in a Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Weekly Press Briefing previously.

“This must be confirmed and considered carefully so that the opening of the TCA does not trigger an increase in [Covid-19] new cases. We continue to make preparations in terms of end-to-end CHSE health protocols,” he added.

Sandiaga also sent a special team to Batam, Bintan, and Bali to monitor the implementation of the CHSE protocol in the areas.

Also read: 5 Travel Tips on How to Stay Safe in Indonesia This Year-End Holiday

"We sent a special team that routinely monitors in Batam, Bintan, and Bali to ensure the readiness of the three locations as the main candidate destinations for opening the travel bubble in June," Sandiaga said. 

This new scheme will assure that tourists who enter Indonesia are in good health and ready to follow all health protocols in Indonesia.

However, Sandiaga said, the plan to start the new tourism concept is still waiting for the readiness of Batam, Bintan, and Bali to welcome the international tourists. Besides, with lockdowns in the neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Singapore, Indonesia needs to convince the tourists about safety in its tourism sector. 

(Writer: Kiki Safitri | Editor : Erlangga Djumena, Yoga Sukmana)

Sources:https://money.kompas.com/read/2021/05/19/183700426/rencana-pembukaan-kunjungan-wisatawan-sandiaga-uno-bertemu-dubes-rusia-hingga

https://money.kompas.com/read/2021/05/18/180200126/sandiaga-uno-kirim-tim-khusus-ke-3-daerah-untuk-apa-