VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said he will submit a proposal to the Finance Ministry for subsidizing airlines flying to and from 13 tourist destinations in Indonesia.

“The subsidy is important. All stakeholders, including the minister of tourism and creative economy, have agreed (to the proposal). We will meet the finance minister to discuss the subsidy for the 13 tourist destinations,” he said at a press conference in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara province, on Thursday.

He was responding to a question on the ministry's efforts to subsidize air tickets to the 13 tourist destinations to increase visitor numbers.

"The President's instruction to the Transportation Ministry is clear that we must support tourism activities. Therefore, after we have made preparations for infrastructure, we will make sure that health protocols are followed well at airports,” Sumadi said.

"Thank God that the results of our two surveys show that the number of people exposed (to COVID-19) during the long holiday (last month) remained flat. No increase was reported," he added. (Antaranews)