Let us collaborate together to harness the pandemic as a momentum for Indonesia’s tourism and economic sectors to reviveJakarta (ANTARA) - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno has urged tourism players to harness the COVID-19 momentum to foster revival by focusing on the creative economy as a critical contributor to the global economy.
“Let us collaborate together to harness the pandemic as a momentum for revival of Indonesia’s tourism and economic sectors,” Uno stated during a launch of the 2021 2nd Planet Tourism Indonesia on “Beyond Recovery, Towards Sustainability” here on Wednesday.
The strength of the creative economy lies in its inclusiveness, according to Uno.
“Creative economy has no limits, and it holds huge potentials in pursuit of the realization of sustainable development goals, and becomes answers for many problems, not only for the economic challenges but also for social and security issues,” he pointed out.
The ministry has outlined several special programs to help Indonesia’s tourism to recover, he noted, adding that one way to develop the creative economy inclusively was through the government’s incentive assistance (BIP).
Moreover, the Proud of Indonesian-made Product National Movement (Gernas BBI) aims to raise the spirit of the community to buy local products, he noted.
“Hence, such efforts can help accelerate the national economy,” he highlighted.
Uno highlighted innovation, adaptation, and collaboration as the three strategies to revive the creative economy and tourism sectors battered by the outbreak that had rattled the world.
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He also encouraged the struggling tourism and creative economy players and expressed belief that opportunities always existed in the midst of challenges protracting for these two years.
“Every cloud has a silver lining,” he stated while appealing to people to stay optimistic.
Last week in Surabaya, Uno had noted that the pandemic challenged people through digital disruption in every sphere and job losses in sectors while also offering them opportunities.
Tourism and creative economy sectors are closely related to digitalization, which has currently become a part of the challenges to expedite recovery, he noted, adding that not only did it have an impact on tourism but also on all sectors in general.
MarkPlus Inc. Founder and Chairman Hermawan Kartajaya concurred with the minister while stating that the pandemic must be harnessed as a momentum to prepare for sustainable tourism.
Technology should be optimally utilized and all stakeholders should be prepared to welcome back travelers, who will return once the condition gets more conducive, he said.
All stakeholders should work hand-in-hand, including the regional ASEAN countries, to revive together.
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Translator: Nanien Y, Juwita Trisna R
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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