Gov’t to Provide Social Safety Program for Tourism, Creative Economy Industries

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy delivers press statement via video conference, Thursday (16/4) (Photo: Ibrahim/PR)

The Government will provide social safety program for business players in tourism and creative economy industries, Minister of Tourism and Culture Wishnutama has announced

According to the Minister, the Government will allocate budget amounting to Rp500 billion for the program.

“We will coordinate with Minister of Finance to provide various kinds of assistance, including economic stimulus, to tourism and creative economy industries. The Government is optimistic that the tourism sector will rebound significantly in 2021,” he said.

However, he reminded that Indonesia must compete with other countries to carry out tourism strategies in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, according to Wishnu, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is in constant coordination with a number of business sectors in the ‘super priority tourist destinations’ to prepare the rebound period.

“The Government’s focus will be on the most basic thing, namely hygiene,” the Minister said, adding that cleanliness, safety and security come next.

In terms of budget, Wishnu further explained that his Ministry will mostly spend the budget for various labor intensive programs to help the companies survive the current situation.

The Minister went on to say that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered Ministry of Tourism and Economy Creative along with other related ministries to study various policies to help companies or businesses fulfill their obligation, such as paying salaries and holiday allowance (THR) for the employees.

“That is in line with the President’s directive. Indeed, the tourism trend after the pandemic will slightly change and that is what the Government must anticipate,” Wishnu said. (FID / MAY/EN)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas