He encouraged travel agents to have digital platforms, as he predicted a surge in tourism once the pandemic is over.

“We can see how technology and the digital media has brought new routines and ways of life,” he said on Saturday as reported by tempo.co.

He also urged the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA) to have a digital platform, as it is considered essential in the travel ecosystem.

“ASITA members need to find potential amid this pandemic. Like it or not, the digital era is happening and it is a challenge for the association,” he said.

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The minister said he was coordinating with various stakeholders in tourism to be prepared for a surge in tourists by formulating promotional plans.

“The first step is to encourage Indonesian tourists by coming up with alluring travel packages,” he said. "The pandemic has brought new routines; [this is] the new normal."

He also noted a new trend in tourism brought by the outbreak as the landscape will be reformed in terms of health and comfort.

“For the next tourism development, we will focus on the principle things, namely hygiene and sanitation in tourist attractions, accommodation and modes of transportation,” he said.  

Wisnutama shared his hope for some form of certification to ensure these criteria.

“We’d need strong cooperation to push mitigation and recovery efforts, during the pandemic and afterward,” he said. (wng)