Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has embarked on an aggressive effort to initiate tourism recovery, including proposing a soft loan programme worth 9.9 trillion rupiah (US$712 million), giving out a second tranche of grant funding with an expanded recipient list, as well as prioritising vaccination for tourism frontliners.
The authority has also brought up potential plans for Covid-19 ‘green zones’ in Bali, areas where travellers can visit and stay.
Additionally, Sandiaga Uno, minister of tourism and creative economy, has proposed to the related ministries for the issuance of a visa with a five-year validity targeting international visitors.
The long-term visa, Sandiaga said, would specifically target business travellers and visitors, including digital nomads, who wish to spend three or four months per year in Indonesia.
Under the plan, each individual will have to pay a deposit of one billion rupiah or 2.5 billion rupiah for their entire family. Visa holders will also be allowed to conduct investment activities in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, the government is ensuring strict compliance with Covid-19 safety protocols by issuing penalties for tourists who flout the rules.
Umberto Cadamuro, COO Inbound of Pacto, said that it is critical that the government establish “simple, clear, and strict regulations” to stem the virus spread, citing the Maldives and Dubai as role models.
He also hopes that the government will set a date for the reopening of borders to international travellers, so that the trade could plan for sales.
Budijanto Ardiansjah, director of My Duta Tour, stressed the need for a cautious approach to welcoming tourists back into Indonesia. A clear plan for post-border reopening needs to be set up by the government, including ensuring that incoming travellers are Covid-19-free, he added.
From March 17, all outbound Scoot passengers flying from Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong will be able to book Covid-19 pre-departure RT-PCR and serology tests as part of a trial service run by Collinson.
The service builds upon the pilot recently launched for Singapore Airlines, Scoot’s parent company.
The Collinson online portal, accessible via the Scoot website or mobile app, will allow passengers departing on flights to book pre-departure testing appointments with recognised and accredited partner clinics and digitally receive results within 36 hours.
Passengers will receive their serology test results directly from the clinic. However, RT-PCR test results can be obtained through the portal, with QR codes embedded within the RT-PCR result certificates, enabling digital authentication, streamlining verification and strengthening the integrity of the process.
There are plans to expand the service to other destinations in the Scoot network post-trial.
A digital verification solution from Affinidi, a Temasek-founded technology company, is also being trialled by Scoot at check-in for selected flights from Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. By scanning the QR code with a secure app, check-in agents are able to quickly and reliably determine the authenticity of digital or printed Covid-19 test results bearing a verifiable QR code, issued by selected clinics. This will reduce the check-in time for passengers, thereby, improving their travel experience.
Todd Handcock, president, Asia Pacific, Collinson, said: “Helping to reopen key routes for travellers in a safe way is our utmost priority and this partnership is another step forward in our aim of achieving the long-term return of global travel.”
Campbell Wilson, Scoot CEO, added: “Through both solutions, we hope our customers can be assured of a more convenient, efficient and reliable experience when they travel with us.”