Pandemic erases US$5.9bil of Indonesia’s tourism revenue as businesses seek help

Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio (centre) and Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association chairman Hariyadi Sukamdani (left) listen to a food-serving presentation by hospitality expert Alexander Nayoan at the JS Luwansa Hotel in South Jakarta on July 8. - JP

JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/ANN): The Covid-19 pandemic has wiped out around Rp85 trillion (US$5.87 billion) of Indonesia’s tourism revenue so far this year, forcing business associations to call on the government to provide a greater stimulus for the virus-battered industry.

The hotel and restaurant industry has lost nearly Rp70 trillion in revenue as leisure travel has come to a complete halt, while aviation and tour operators have lost Rp15 trillion in revenue, according to data from the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI).