The hotel occupancy rate showed a slight increase in May to 14.5 percent from 12.7 percent as of April. Meanwhile the occupancy rate in the main tourist destination, Bali, still declined to 2.1 percent in May from 3.2 percent in April.

 

The tourist and hospitality industry in Bali has begun to improve ahead of the opening of Bali for tourists. Some preparations have carried out such as verification of hospitality in Bali in accordance with the health protocols. Tourism in Bali will reopen on July 31 for local tourists and on Sept. 11 for foreign tourists. This is to build confidence to persuade tourists to return.

 

A number of tourist attractions are also crowded by local tourists, such as the Taman Safari Indonesia Park. Conservation attractions in West Java are included among the low- and medium-risk places. However, only visitors who use private cars can visit this tourist spot. Visitors are also restricted to a maximum of 20 percent of capacity. A Taman Safari director explained that in the week after it opened on June 15, there was an increase in visitor numbers by 15 percent.

 

The community can still enjoy tourism and travel but must pay attention to health protocols, namely wearing masks, keeping a distance and washing hands. The government through the national COVID-19 task force issued Circular Letter (SE) No. 7/2020 on the criteria and requirements for travel in the adaptation period of new habits toward a productive and safe society.

 

Users of public land, rail, sea and air transportation must meet these requirements. The requirements include showing ID cards, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test certificate with a negative result that is valid for seven days or a rapid test certificate with a non-reactive result that is valid for three days upon departure, or a certificate of being free from influenza-like symptoms illness issued by a doctor at a hospital or a community health center (Puskesmas) for areas that do not have PCR test and/or rapid test facilities.

 

It is possible for the public to travel only by showing rapid test certificates with nonreactive results. However, experts question the use of rapid tests because of their accuracy in detecting COVID-19 as rapid test results can provide false negatives. Although regarded as inaccurate, at least rapid tests can track a rapid deployment because they are not as expensive as a PCR test and so can be a condition for travel.

 

Not all people want to go on a vacation again even with the implementation of strict health protocols. Based on Google’s survey of future community travel plans, Asia Pacific residents tend to be more likely to return to traveling after more than a year. Judging from the incentives needed, fare discounts of at least 25 percent are expected by the public. Google’s survey data for Indonesia explains that 17 percent of respondents will consider traveling in the next three months, 14 percent in the next three to six months, 11 percent in six to nine months, 14 percent in nine to 12 months and 44 percent of respondents will not travel for more than a year.

 

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said that based on its survey, passenger sentiment remains subdued. According to the latest IATA survey conducted in June, travelers have become more cautious about air travel than they were three months ago. A total of 45 percent of respondents stated that they were intending to fly within two months of the time the pandemic is contained, down from the 64 percent recorded in April. The majority now anticipates a return to air travel no sooner than in six months.

 

As a supporting element of tourism, air transportation is needed for interregional tourists. The Transportation Ministry has allowed airlines to fly with a maximum load factor of 70 percent. So, there is room for airlines to continue growing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The travel and tourist sector needs improvement to boost the national economy. Tourism in the so-called “new normal” era needs to be maintained so that the sector continues to move and there is still public demand, in order for it to contribute to the Indonesian economy. Tourist attractions that are still open must be put to good use. The strategy that can be done now is maximizing promotion of tourism activities, travel and hotels. Giving discounts is one way to encourage people to travel.

 

The risk of COVID-19 spread is higher in enclosed spaces. For this reason, the opening of tourist attractions must be focused on open places such as nature conservation areas or forests, beaches and parks. This is needed so that the spread of COVID-19 can be minimized.

 

In addition, the risk of COVID-19 transmission must also be highly considered. Opening tourism and travel for the sake of boosting the economy will only add new cases of transmission in the community. The government invites domestic tourists to travel within the country while maintaining cleanliness, health and safety protocols. The government wants the sectors that drive the economy to continue but also to keep the community healthy and protected from COVID-19.

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Analyst at Bank Mandiri