JAKARTA (BPN) – The COVID-19 pandemic will certainly bring big changes to the tourist’s interest in traveling which will prioritize the safety and health aspects so that it must be fully anticipated by all tourism and creative economy stakeholders.
Head of Communication Bureau for the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) Agustini Rahayu in a discussion “New Normal in Travel/Tourism Industry” organized by PR Newswire, Wednesday, said that whether the government, businessmen, or other stakeholders must be able to adapt, create innovations, and enhance competitiveness in response to changes.
“There will be a fundamental change in the tourist’s behavior. Later, they will prioritize the cleanliness, health, safety, and security factors so that industry must be able to adapt to be able to convince customers that their facilities can meet these factors,” Agustini Rahayu said.
UNWTO even stated that now is the time to do a review of tourism standardization in order to deal with these demands through global guidelines for re-opening tourism facilities which they call the Global Guidelines to restart tourism.
The organization has also released guidelines to be referred by the tourism industry in relation to changes in tourist behavior in general.
In terms of accommodation, for example, the tourist preferences will change from finding the accommodations that offer promo/budget hotels to hotels that prioritize hygiene aspects. Then in transportation, direct flights or a maximum of one transit will be their main preference.
Tourist activities will be more to outdoor activities with the choice of fresh air, self-driving, and private tour. And no less important is the strengthening of human resources based on security and hygiene protocols.
“In the early period, the industry might start adjusting the prices because it must meet the required standards and tourists will pay. Over time, there will also be other adjustments from the business side,” she said.
In order to anticipate it, the Ministry, she said, has prepared a Cleanliness, Health, and Safety (CHS) program which will be a guideline for the tourism and creative economy sector.
However, the protocols will later be issued through a Regulation/Decision of the Minister of Health in the near future. She affirmed that the health protocol must be harmonized with other Ministries/Institutions in order to be well synergized.
After that, her party will provide assistance to the industry, including training the tourism employees in each destination and applying it.
“Hopefully, in the near future it can be finalized so that we can immediately disseminate it,” she said.
Director of Marketing Communications of The Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali, Dewi Anggraini, said that her party has been ready to enter the new normal order of tourism.
During this COVID-19 period, she really prepares and makes the lethargic situation a challenge.
The Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali has prepared protocols which will be applied in all aspects. Starting from the lobby, rooms, restaurants, and meeting rooms (MICE).
“We have set up for new normal and there are several things that must be paid attention. We intensely communicate with the public so we expect that we can maintain their trust,” Dewi said.
Therefore, her party hopes the implementation of the new normal can be started immediately and the industry will back to normal.
