Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto noted in a statement here on Wednesday that tourism was one of the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and would be the latest to recover, for which special stimulus was deemed important.
The stimulus comprised tourism grant as part of the National Economic Recovery (PEN) Program, with 70 percent of the funding last year being disbursed for the hotel and restaurant sector.
The government has allocated Rp3.3 trillion of the tourism grant in 2020.
Hartarto affirmed that the government will also expand participation of the Pre-Employment Card Program in 2021 for workers in the tourism sector.
"Data validation, credibility, and accuracy are very important to support PEN programs in the tourism sector," he stated.
The government has set five super priority tourism destinations and encouraged the development of five Special Economic Zones for tourism to draw tourists to visit the destinations.
"There is a need to shift the target to domestic tourists whose numbers are expected to reach 50-55 million," the minister noted.
Hartarto drew attention to the importance of implementing the labor-intensive program in the tourism sector in the first quarter of 2021 without disregarding public safety.
"The COVID-19 vaccination should be prioritized for workers in the tourism sector to offer safety and comfort to them while interacting with tourists. The government will work toward recovering the tourism sector without ignoring public safety," he affirmed.
Related news: Economic recovery program rescued five million people from poverty
Related news: Government upbeat on 2022 economic growth
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Dewa Ketut SW, Sri Haryati
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
