Indonesia estimates 10 bln USD loss in tourism due to COVID-19 pandemic

Source: Xinhua | 2020-04-17

Indonesia's tourism sector will likely to see 10 billion U.S. dollars loss in revenue this year as the COVID-19 pandemic has almost paralyzed the sector, a minister said here on Thursday.

To contain the spread of the pandemic in the country, the Indonesian government has banned arrivals and transits of foreigners except the holders of stay permits and diplomats as well as official visitors.

"Last year, the revenue touched about 20 billion U.S. dollars. This year it may be half of the figure," Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio told a press conference.

The number of foreign holiday makers visiting Indonesia is forecast to tumble to 5 million this year from 16 million last year, the minister said.

The revenue fall was estimated on the basis that the sector will gradually recover in the second half of this year, Kusubandio said.

Regarding the the airlines industry, the revenue of this sector is also expected to shrink, according to the minister.