JAKARTA (TheInsiderStories) - The number of foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia dropped sharply by 88.08 percent during 2020 compared to previous year, statistic bureau reported today. However, when compared to the previous to November 2020, the visitor numbers increased 13.58 percent.
“During 2020, the number of foreign tourist visits to Indonesia reached 4.02 million visits or decreased by 75.03 percent when compared to the number of foreign tourists visiting in the same period in 2019 which totaled 16.11 million visits,” said head of Statistic Indonesia bureau in a video conference on Monday (02/01).
The average length of stay of foreign and Indonesian guests at star-classified hotels during December 2020 was recorded at 1.61 days, or a decrease of 0.15 points when compared to the situation in December 2019, adds by the office. As reported, since end of last year, Indonesia closed the door for the foreign visitors to curb the spread third wave of COVID-19 virus.
“The temporary closure is exempted for officials at ministerial level and will be implementing very strict health protocols. This policy will be outlined in a new COVID-19 Task Force circular,” said foreign minister, Retno Marsudi, on Dec. 28.
In August, she has announced that Indonesia will remain closed for foreign tourists throughout 2020 after the positive cases number growing faster around the globe. One of favorite place for tourist, Bali, also aborted to reopen the island for the arrivals since Sept. 11.
Earlier on March, Indonesia prohibit travelers from Iran, Italy, and South Korea after World Health of Organization (WHO) reported there are a significant increase the COVID-19 spread at the three countries. According to Marsudi, travelers entry and transit to Indonesia need a health certificate.
She asserted, the certificate must be valid in 48 hours and shown to the airline at check-in. Without a health certificate from the competent health authority, these migrants will be refused entry or transit in Indonesia, she adds. Upon arrival in Indonesia, re-check the PCR test and if it shows a negative result, the foreigner is required to quarantine for five days from the date of arrival.
After the quarantine is required to re-check the condition and the result returns to negative, the the visitors are allowed to continue their journey. While, based on the Law Number 11 of 2011, Indonesian citizens is still allowed to return to Indonesia according to the addendum to the same circular letter.
The government warned in April that the pandemic could wipe out more than US$10 billion in Indonesia’ tourism revenues in 2020.
Written by Editorial Staff, Email: theinsiderstories@gmail.com
