As attractions across Indonesia prepare to welcome back domestic tourists, two local OTAs are looking to restore traveller confidence and stimulate demand by easing the process of Covid-19 compulsory testing and introducing a new clean and safety label for hotels.
Traveloka has launched a new service allowing its users to book a Covid-19 swab test and rapid test on its platform.
Since June 10, the service has enabled locals in 44 Indonesian cities and regencies to enjoy flexibility in booking the tests alongside arranging their transport and accommodation for their travels through the Traveloka Xperience feature on the OTA’s website and mobile app.
The testes will be conducted in partnership with clinical laboratory service providers Prodia, Klinik Pintar, and Biotest.
“We also provide information on required documents that people need to prepare for travel through in-apps communication that will pop up when users access a transport product page,” said Andhini Putri, head of marketing and transport of Traveloka.
Through Traveloka’s mobile app, users can find the nearest clinics of the three aforementioned providers and book an appointment. If the result is negative, they will receive a medical certificate in hard or softcopy, or both. If positive, they will be referred to a hospital for further examination.
Traveloka’s digital solution comes as the government stipulates that locals who are looking to travel within the country are required to take a rapid test or Covid-19 swab test prior to their travels.
Passengers travelling to Bali, Pangkal Pinang, Tanjung Pandang, and Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, are required to undergo a Covid-19 swab test, as the results from a rapid test will not be valid. In Bali, which plans to open its doors to domestic tourists in August, arriving passengers are expected to show their Covid-19 test results again upon arrival.
Elsewhere, Tiket.com has launched a new certificate label, Tiket Clean, to reassure guests that hotels with that label have complied with the government’s enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols.
So far, 4,000 Tiket.com’s hotel partners have earned the Tiket Clean label, said Gaery Undarsa, its co-founder, during the recent virtual launch of Tiket Clean. Among them are Santika Hotel, phmhotels, Tauzia Hotels, Archipelago International, OYO, and RedDoorz.
In the new normal, travellers are not only concerned about hunting down the best deals, but also the safety and cleanliness of the hotels they stay in, Geary said, citing the results of a recent Tiket.com survey.
