Visits of Foreign Tourists to Batam Decline During Pandemic, Only 1500 Visitors Per Month

Editor: Putri Larasati Anggiawan

TRIBUNBATAM.id, BATAM - The activity of tourism in the Riau Islands, especially in Batam City is still limited.

So far, tourism activities in Batam rely on the arrival of foreign tourists.

However, since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, access to foreign tourists from various neighboring countries has been restricted through Permenkumham No.11 of 2020.

Meanwhile, domestic tourists also experience significant obstacles in terms of mobilization, especially after the implementation of the Large-Scale Social Restriction (PSBB) policy in several cities.

This has an impact on the level of tourist visits to Batam.

If in 2019, tourist visits in Batam reached hundreds of thousands per month, with the highest number in December, namely 190,232 visits, now that number has fallen during the pandemic.

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Head of the Batam City Culture and Tourism Office, Ardiwinata, also provided an overview of the range of tourist visits in Batam, especially foreign tourists.

"Now, from around 150,000 per month, to only 1,500 per month," said Ardi, recently.

The arrival of these foreign tourists is also dominated by foreigners who hold temporary residence permit (KITAS), such as workers from marine, airlines, industry and diplomats.

Ardi hopes, with the enactment of the revision of Permenkumham Number 11 of 2020, the arrival of foreigners through the Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA) can increase economic activity in Batam, especially the tourism sector.

For this reason, the Batam City Government (Pemko) always urges tourism business actors to strictly implement health protocols in the environment where they work.

"We have pushed for this standard health protocol with certification, yesterday there were several hotels that were certified. Furthermore, the Ministry has also pushed for the CHSE certification program for tourism actors," said Ardi.

The results of this certification will later function as a guarantee of cleanliness, health, safety, and environmental sustainability that can encourage foreign tourists to feel comfortable visiting Batam City.

(TRIBUNBATAM.id/Hening Sekar Utami)

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