Surviving in the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Tourism Sector Continues to Strive

Kapanlagi.com - Of all sectors, tourism is one of the sectors most affected by the pandemic. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, efforts to maintain and revive this sector continue to be made.

According to Maulana Yusran, Secretary General of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), the tourism industry's current condition is heavier than in 2020.

Such is the case with PT. Hotel Indonesia Natour (Persero), also known as HIN.BUMN, which operates in the hotel services sector, had to experience a decrease in hotel room occupancy rates in 2020 by 67% compared to 2019.

"Last year our occupancy rate was only around 27% throughout the year. Moreover, 60-70% of our revenue comes from Bali, so this pandemic has had an extraordinary impact on the hotel industry," explained Christine Hutabarat, Director of Business Development at PT. HIN.

The Tourism Industry Begins to Adapt to the Situation

Although difficult, players in the tourism industry are starting to adapt to the demands of the situation and prepare themselves for the post-pandemic era through strengthening cleanliness, health, safety, and environmental sustainability standards. This certification is known as CHSE (Cleanliness, Healthy, Safety, Environment Sustainability).

Christie believes that CHSE is not just a slogan, but it has become the identity of service in the tourism industry. So that later it can build public trust, as well as educate health protocols as recommended by the government.

"When it comes to health protocols, we in the hotel and restaurant industry are among the most committed. In early March 2020 alone, we have established health protocol standards. The changes have been adjusted three times according to the Circular Letter of the Minister of Health and WHO standards. We actually support the current Micro PPKM," said Maulana Yusran in a Public Dialogue organized by KPCPEN and broadcasted on FMB9ID_IKP, Wednesday (23/6).

Government Stimulus Supports the Tourism Industry

In addition to the efforts made through adaptation, the stimulus from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy since 2020 in the form of Tourism Grants and other assistance is acknowledged to have greatly helped the tourism sector industry to survive.

"We use the government stimulus for several things, besides helping finance our operations during low demand, it also helps improve the quality of CHSE implementation and workforce training at HIN," explained Christie.

The Pandemic Also Impacts the Creative Industry

The situation is also felt by creative business actors who are part of the ecosystem in tourist locations such as in Bali. Cokorda Istri Julyana Dewi, a silver craft and leather bag entrepreneur from Gianyar, Bali.

"This pandemic has had a significant impact. But we still adapt so that creative industry actors in tourist locations can adjust their work to the current situation," said Julyana.

Julyana applied silver craft, which used to be seen only as jewelry, to make it more acceptable to consumers during the pandemic by combining it with leather bags.

Julyana acknowledges that the stimulus and efforts made by the government have also supported her in surviving in difficult situations.

"We have been greatly helped by the government, which often holds digital marketing training. We certainly have to continue to adapt to the current pandemic situation." Especially to revive the spirit of silver craftsmen to overcome this pandemic together," he concluded.

(kly/tmi)