Bali to Spearhead Vaccine-Based Tourism Project: Indonesian Minister

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said Bali will become a pilot project for vaccine-based tourism to boost its tourism sector which has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In the first to fourth quarters of 2020, Bali's economy which relies heavily on the tourism industry, contracted 12 percent, the lowest among the 34 provinces in the country. In the second quarter of 2021, Bali's economic growth is predicted to contract between six percent and eight percent.

“We will introduce a vaccine-based tourism program and Bali has been chosen [to spearhead the project] because it is currently in dire need of tourists due to a very deep economic contraction," said Sandiaga in the Weekly Press Briefing, Tuesday, June 22.

“The program may also be applied to other destinations,” he added.

Also read: “Work from Bali” to Save Tourism Sector: Indonesian Minister 

The vaccine-based tourism will offer tour packages, including free Covid-19 jab provided by the government to local tourists. Meanwhile, the tour packages for foreign tourists will be managed by associations and the vaccination program will be organized under the private vaccination scheme so that they will not be given the portion of free vaccines provided for the Indonesian citizens.

The plan is still being finalized and will be launched by the Governor of Bali, considering the world’s Covid-19 pandemic situation. The plan would be reviewed if the circumstances did not improve.

“The travel corridor preparation has reached 90 percent. Meanwhile, the preparation of chartered flights has also shown significant progress,” Sandiaga said.

Also read: More Tourism Villages Need to Go Digital: Indonesian Minister

“However, the decision would depend on the latest Covid-19 situation. If it gets better, we will proceed with it and if it is not, we will adjust it.”