Ubud – Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Wishnutama Kusubandio appreciated the readiness of the Provincial Government of Bali in attracting public trust in the tourism and creative economy sector.
“The tourism sector is a business that promotes trust so that tourist will come to visit only when they have the trust, visiting Bali safely and comfortably,” said the Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio when meeting with Bali Governor I Wayan Koster at Bebek Tepi Sawah Restaurant, Ubud, Wednesday (17/6/2020).
He also appreciated the Provincial Government of Bali which is ready to implement health protocols in its region. He also stressed that health protocols must be prepared in advance to be able to build the public trust to travel back to the Island of Gods.
“Overall, spread of the COVID-19 in Bali is relatively lower than elsewhere. But once again, what we need to build in Bali is public trust, the trust from domestic and international tourists, because tourism business is a business of trust,” he continued.
On a work visit to Bali, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy is assisted by the Governor of Bali I Wayan Koster, Vice Governor of Bali Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati (Cok Ace), Chief of Bali Regional Police Inspector General Police Dr. Petrus Reinhard Golose, President Director of ITDC Abdullah M. Mansoer, Managing Director The Nusa Dua I Gusti Ngutah Ardita, along with the official leaders from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.
He also encouraged the Provincial Government of Bali to carry out three opening stages in a number of sectors in Bali. After the first opening stage was considered successful with the implementation of strict health protocols. He expected that the next stage can be passed quickly.
“Therefore, I ask the practitioners of tourism and creative economy sector to be able to implement it well. So that we can review all the stages process and we can enter the next stages faster,” he added.
On the same occasion, the Governor of Bali I Wayan Koster explained that his party has prepared three stages for the implementation of health protocols to welcome the new normal. The first stage will be carried out on July 9, 2020.
“We plan that if the situation is conducive, on July 9 we will start to open up movements in several sectors in Bali except education and tourism,” I Wayan Koster said.
The second stage will be carried out in August 2020 with a note that the first stage is conducive and successful. Then it will proceed to the second stage for domestic tourists. After the second phase successful, then it will continue to the third stage by starting to open destinations for foreign tourists in September 2020.
“But this is only preparation and square off, not an implementation schedule. Whether it is implemented or not depends on the development of the situation and the dynamics of COVID-19, especially the development of local transmission in Bali,” he continued.
He also explained that this is in accordance with the instruction of the President and the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy related to the reopening of Bali that must be carried out carefully and not in a hurry.
“We do not want to let a second wave of pandemic in Bali occur, if we are in a hurry. Because it will be risky and very difficult for us,” he added.