The Indonesia government has announced further easing of entry restrictions for international travellers, and will add facilities to improve the quarantine experience for visitors.
Fully vaccinated travellers may now enter the country with a negative PCR test results, and serve a shortened quarantine period of three days instead of five as well as take a mandatory PCR test on the last day of their isolation.
Travellers with only one shot of vaccine will be required to undergo five days of isolation and a mandatory PCR test on the fourth day of their quarantine.
In addition, the government has teamed up with the Association of Leisure Boats Network to offer the Live on Board (LOB) programme for fully vaccinated travellers to utilise during their quarantine, revealed Sandiaga Uno, minister of tourism and creative economy.
Some 38 boats have signed up for the programme.
Rizki Handayani, deputy of tourism products and MICE, said the boats are checked to ensure they abide by Indonesia’s Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability protocols.
She added that with the LOB programme, travellers may cruise around during their quarantine. Disembarkation will only be allowed when they present negative PCR test results on the last day of their quarantine.
Sharing further insights on the government’s plans to restart tourism, Sandiaga said his office has proposed travel lanes with eight more low-risk countries – Austria, Australia, Denmark, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Russia, the Netherlands, and Germany – to benefit Bali.
Besides entry via the airport, preparations are underway to establish Bali’s Benoa harbour as an international gateway.
Elsewhere in the country, the harbours of Batam and Bintan are also being prepared to facilitate international arrivals via cruises and yachts.
Commenting on the latest announcements, Jongki Adiyasa, executive director of Ina Leisure Tour and Travel, said the combination of a shortened quarantine with the LOB programme “made sense” and is “saleable”, but added that enforcement of safety protocol onboard is questionable.
Hospitality company Accor has launched a new talent attraction programme, Work Your Way, to bolster its workforce as Australia and New Zealand gear up for a tourism rebound.
More than 1,200 jobs will be available at most of its 400 hotels across the two countries, as Accor seeks to expand its current workforce of 18,000 team members by up to 15 per cent over the coming months.
The Work Your Way programme is said to have some revolutionary features, such as same-day hire opportunities for frontline roles; personalised benefits, where each hotel will offer additional perks based on their location and team preference, including travel allowances, birthday leave and sabbaticals; open pathways to travel and work around the region; advanced career development through the Accor Academy; and flexible work arrangements for all staff.
Accor Pacific CEO, Simon McGrath, said: “The hospitality industry has an exciting future ahead, and our guests are telling us that they cannot wait to start travelling again. As domestic, and soon international tourists, flock back to hotels and restaurants across Australia and New Zealand, the industry needs talented individuals who wish to build a rewarding career.”
Explaining the nature of the Work Your Way programme, Accor Pacific senior vice president talent & culture, Sarah Derry, said: “Lives and dreams don’t always fit neatly around working hours and current roles – that’s why we’ve introduced Work Your Way at Accor.
“We recognise that greater flexibility in the workplace creates a fulfilling and inclusive team member experience where our team can contribute in a healthy, stimulating and productive way, while advancing their career with the largest hotel operator in Australia and New Zealand.”