Indonesia might partially re-open its borders to international visitors, according to an announcement made at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai 2021, the leading global event for the Middle East's inbound and outbound travel industry.
On behalf of the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia (MoTCE), Deputy Minister for Tourism Marketing, Mrs Nia Niscaya, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Republic of Indonesia and Emirates Airlines during ATM 2021. The Cooperation aims to boost marketing activities overseas, especially in Dubai.
The theme of this year's show is 'A New Dawn for Travel and Tourism'. The spotlight would be focused on how the latest 'COVID' news worldwide is likely to affect international tourism in 2021 and beyond.
In participating in a global travel market in the pandemic era, Indonesia demonstrates its firm commitment to CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety and Environment Sustainability) implementation by focusing on health and safety protocols at destinations and the Indonesia Pavilion in the Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai.
Middle East travellers have long been a key market for Indonesian tourism destinations. In 2019, the Middle East recorded a significant increase in visitors' arrivals to Indonesia, registering 263,923 visitors.
His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, announced plans to re-open borders in July 2021, with destinations including Bali, Batam and Bintan serving as 'locomotive' regions to kickstart tourism for the whole country - if the pandemic is handled as well as expected. In preparation, the government has carried out a widespread vaccination program for targeted groups, including the tourism workforce. In addition, the government has also initiated the CHSE certification program throughout the tourism sector in Indonesia.