The economic value of the Eid al-Fitr exodus (is projected) at Rp70 trillion (US$4.38 billion).
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy expects the Eid al-Fitr exodus, performed by millions of Indonesians this year, to have positive economic effects, an official has said.

"The economic value of the Eid al-Fitr exodus (is projected) at Rp70 trillion (US$4.38 billion). We hope the economic effects will not only be centered in the travelers' city of origin, but also spread to the travelers' hometown destination," the ministry's deputy of digital products and creative economic affairs, Muhammad Neil El Himam, said in Tangerang, Banten, on Wednesday.

Residents who return to their hometowns are expected to contribute to enhancing economic activities in their respective hometowns, he added.

"I hope (returning residents) can share some of their fortunes with families and relatives in their respective hometowns as it will help bolster economic activities in the regions," El Himam remarked.

Indonesian residents have been allowed to resume their Eid homecoming tradition this year after spending Eid al-Fitr away from their hometowns due to COVID-19-related mobility restrictions over the past two years, he noted.

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The ministry official also pointed out that the government has projected that at least 85.5 million residents will return to their hometowns this year, far higher than the pre-pandemic level of 23 million residents.

El Himam said that the ministry has prepared several programs to promote safe and healthy trips, including digital activities on the ministry's social media, which residents can join from anywhere.

Further, the ministry has prepared 15 homecoming trip checkpoints from Lampung in Sumatra Island to East Java where residents can rest before continuing their journey, he said.

At least 1,200 shopping vouchers will also be presented to travelers who visit the ministry’s checkpoints, as an appreciation of their role in bolstering the economy of their hometowns, he added.

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Translator: Nanien Yuniar, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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