Revive tourism sector in West Sumatra in new normal era

Padang (ANTARA) - Three months since March 2020 dozens of Ori's tourism bus units have only been parked in the pool and heated once every two days.

Since the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), one of the most affected sectors is tourism.

Despite losing up to Rp. 15 million to Rp. 20 million per day, Ori was still more fortunate because there were his other partner units were confiscated by finance companies because they were unable to repay the vehicle installments.

Since the enforcement of the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) in W Sumatra for 47 days from April 22 to June 7, 2020, there have been no residents who have traveled, including using tourist buses.

Baca juga: Pemkot Padang pastikan prediksi kemarau panjang tidak pengaruhi sektor pertanian

"We have not been operating for nearly three months because there are no tenants, there is even a car loan business that is threatened with bankruptcy," said a vehicle rental business owner in Padang Orion Holiday, Fordismen.

According to him, since the government enforced a policy of Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB), cars that use to use by customers now it just placed in the garage.

"Especially when PSBB, there is suggestion that people should do activities at home, so automatically we don't have consumers," he said.

The owner of 12 vehicles consisting of a 48-seat tourism bus to a medium 29 seats claimed to have suffered a loss of Rp15 to Ro20 million per day since PSBB was imposed.

In line with that, Director of PT Cahaya Wisata Andalas, Budiman who is also the chairman of Padang Community Rental admitted that the business he managed since 2005 was threatened with bankruptcy due to the corona pandemic and was exacerbated by the rules of financing companies that did not side the rental business.

PT Cahaya Wisata Andalas which has more than 10 vehicles began to stop operating since the beginning of March 2020.

They hope that the government voices aspirations so that the financing provides relief and concessions installment.

Baca juga: Satreskrim Narkoba Polres Pasaman Barat tangkap pengedar 75 gram sabu (Video)

Zero Visit

Based on data compiled from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of W Sumatra in April 2020, foreign tourist visits to the area were zero because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"If in March 2020 there were 2,495 foreign tourists visited W Sumatra in April 2020, down 100 percent or there were no arrivals at all," said Head of W Sumatra BPS, Pitono.

He said in January to April 2020 there were 10,874 foreign tourists who had visited W Sumatra, dominated by 8,831 Malaysians, 296 Australians and 255 Chinese people.

Not only that in April 2020 the number of passengers at the Minangkabau International Airport also decreased compared to February.

In April the number of passengers departing was only 15.11 thousand people, down 81.77 percent compared to the previous month and passengers arriving 29.15 thousand people or down 72.88 percent.

In line with that, Andalas University Padang Academic Dr. Sari Lenggogeni assesses that the tourism sector is one of those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It will take at least two years to restore the tourism sector in the country which is currently being hit," She said.

She explained that the tourism sector is very vulnerable to natural disasters and crises, currently there is a crisis in the health sector that has made the interest of people to travel down dramatically.

According to her, referring to the data reported by the WTO, in tourism field showed this condition is same to a decrease in tourists for seven years from the current figures.

"This also causes around 400 million people worldwide engaged in tourism to lose their jobs," she said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also caused the city of Padang, W Sumatra to lose revenue from the tourism sector around Rp174 billion.

"The tourism sector is one of the biggest contributors to income in Padang from February to May 2020, almost no more people travel to Padang," said Head of the Padang City Tourism Office, Arfian.

Arfian said revenue from the Air Manis Beach retribution lost in the last three months to reach Rp. 60 million.

"Especially during the last Eid, it should be able to reach Rp100 million because of increased tourists, but because COVID-19 caused the tourist attraction to close," he said.

Revive

The tourism sector is the main contributor to regional revenue in W Sumatra and entering a new normal era, all parties hope to be stretched again.

The West Sumatra Provincial Government moved quickly and began promoting COVID-19 free tourism in an effort to open up to tourist visits

West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno said for people with middle to upper economic status traveling is a necessity of life including people who have bored at home.

Irwan said that in preparing W Sumatra free COVID-19 tour it would conduct a free swab test for every travel manager, tourism actor and other hotels.

In addition to the application of the New Normal, Productive and Safe from Covid (TNB-PQC) supports the implementation of tourism and he asked the Regent and Mayor to make Regent’s regulation and Mayor’s regulation that can refer to the W Sumatra Governor and existing ministerial regulations.

Since the enforcement of the new normal productive and safe from COVID in W Sumatra Province, several tourist destinations in W Sumatra have begun to open and begin to stretch, although not all of them.

Besides that, the Padang City Tourism Office has also prepared Air Manis Beach to become one of the recommended tourist destinations in the new normal period because it has been supported by adequte facilities and infrastructure.

"One of the tourist destinations we recommend is Air Manis Padang Beach, because various preparations to fill the new normal period have already been carried out," said the Head of Padang Tourism Office Arfian.

He said at Air Manis Beach which is now managed by the Padang Sejahtera Mandiri Regional Company has implemented all health protocols.

Starting from the entrance by requiring visitors to wear masks, body temperature measurements and health checks.

"Visitors who do not wear masks are prohibited from entering the Air Manis beach," he stressed.

Entrance ticket payment also uses a non-cash transaction system, thereby reducing direct contact between visitors and officers.

In the mainstay tourist sites of Padang City, five points of hand washing facilities can be used by visitors.

In addition, he said, traders whose locations are under the management of Regional company are also required to wear masks and face shields.

Transleted by: Mutiara RamadhanI