The Indonesian government will spend US 256 million through several incentives to help jump start the battered tourism sector in Bali and Indonesia.
The incentives include subsidy and income tax allowance, deputy to the presidential staff, Febry Calvin Tetelepta, said at a webinar on tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday.
“The tourism industry, including hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and creative economic businesses engaged in advertisement, film, and so on, can benefit from the incentives,” he stated.
The World Tourism Organization has noted that tourism has been the most-affected industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to data from the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, the number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia is expected to plunge to 5 million this year compared to 16 million last year.
The country’s foreign exchange earnings from the tourism sector are projected to fall to US$15 billion from the target of US$21 billion for this year according to Antara state news.
The reopening of Bali for tourism in July this year is one of the first steps to help revive the tourism industry in Indonesia.
Other tourist destinations, including those in Bintan Island, Bangka Nelitung province, and Banyuwangi district in East Java will also soon reopen “Of course, they will be reopened through simulation and stringent preparations,” Tetelepta said.
