The Indonesian government, mainly the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency has made multiples efforts  in order to restore the economy while maintaining strict protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as through CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability) certification as the new standard for tourism activities in Indonesia.

In a concerted effort, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights issued The Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Rights No. 26/2020 on Visa and Stay Permit for the New Era to replace the Ministry of Law and Human Rights issued The Regulation No. 11/2020 on Temporary Restrictions for Foreigners from Entering Indonesia and a new Travel Corridor Arrangement plan. Amidst the challenges in the new normal era, these new policies are expected to open new opportunities in the economy.

“To optimize these opportunities to be beneficial to tourism stakeholders, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/ Tourism and Creative Economy Agency will host webinar series as part of ‘Seller Meeting for South East Asia and Oceania’,” says Nia Niscaya – Deputy of Tourism Marketing, at the opening remarks at the live webinar to socialize these new policies on 19 November 2020 in Jakarta.

CHSE Certification and New Visa Policy to Answer Challenges in the New Era

Among the efforts initiated by the Government to restore the economy while maintaining strict protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19, is the CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability) certification as a new standard in any tourism activities. Tourism establishments who have passed the certification are entitled to use “InDOnesia CARE” label for their business to ensure that all of the protocols are implemented during traveller’s journey in Indonesia.

“We encourage Indonesian tourism industry to continue implementing CHSE protocols in order to put tourist’s convenience at the outmost goal, because today’s trend shows that these protocols are the main consideration for tourists to travel to a certain destination,” says Achmad Yurianto – Expert Staff for Technology & Globalization at the Ministry of Health. Meanwhile, the new visa policy as stated in The Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Rights No. 26/20on Visa and Stay Permit in the New Era (to replace The Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Rights No. 11/2020 on Temporary Restrictions for Foreigners from Entering NKRI) and Travel Corridor Arrangement plan will provide a wider access for bilateral and regional economy.

“This policy will open new opportunities for tourism in allowing movement of people between national borders such as in South East Asia and Oceania regions, while ensuring health protocol to prevent the spread of pandemic,” says Jhoni Ginting – Director General of Immigration, Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

The ‘Challenges and Opportunities for Tourism in the New Normal Era’ Webinar

In partnership with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy hosted a live webinar to socialize the new visa policy on 19 November 2020 from Jakarta aimed at travel agencies or tour operators, media, airlines, or tourism business partners in South East Asia and Oceania region, to share how the application of the new normal works in Indonesia.

On the other hand, the 2nd webinar on 25 November 2020 will be live from Bali and calls all Indonesian tourism businesses and organizations to get insights on how to manage changes of preferences in the South East Asia and Oceania Market and how the New Visa Policy impacts their audience, as an important consideration for their business strategy.

“With these socialization efforts, we aim to help you recover, rebuild and shape the travel industry,” says Sidharto R Suryodipuro – Directorate General ASEAN Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia.

Indonesian government has been focusing on the improvement of tourism infrastructure (including ICT), accessibility, health and hygiene, enhancing digital marketing campaigns overseas, as well as revising its visa-free access policy. These efforts have started to take shape in 2019, when Indonesian tourism contributed to 4% of the GDP or US$ 16.9 billion, as well as to the livelihood of 12.8 million people working in this industry.