Indonesian Health Care Workers to Receive Free Staycation Program to Boost Tourism

KOMPAS.com – Health care workers could soon enjoy a free staycation after working long hours treating their patients since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Indonesia in March last year.

Initiated by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the staycation plan is part of the appreciation programs for the health care workers as the number of Covid-19 cases in the country continues to decline.

“As the Covid-19 cases continue to decline, health care workers are welcome to take the staycation program prepared by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy’s marketing division,” state news agency Antara quoted Tourism and Creative Minister Sandiaga Uno on Saturday, October 23.

Also read: Indonesia Needs to Revive Tourism Sector with Caution amid Pandemic

Sandiaga added that the staycation program is part of the reactivation program for the tourism industry by promoting accommodation, other supporting facilities, as well as transportation sector for health care workers handling Covid-19 in Indonesia.

He said that the reactivation activity is expected to create a multiplier effect in increasing hotel occupancy by 40 percent and reemployment in the hotel industry and land transportation sector.

“Besides, this program is also expected to increase the workforce involvement, both directly and indirectly, in industrial reactivation activities of about 8,600 people,” said Sandiaga.

“There is an increase of the locally generated income (PAD) from the hotel industry and land transportation sector coming from corporate taxes,” he added.

The staycation program also aims to accelerate the economic recovery due to the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the ministry’s marketing deputy Nia Niscaya said that the health care workers and the support staff who plan to use the staycation program will need to get a recommendation letter from their employers.

Also read: Indonesia Provides Incentives to Boost Tourism amid Pandemic