Jakarta (ANTARA) - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno has appealed to tourism players to continue participating in the Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environment Sustainability (CHSE) certification program voluntarily to increase the trust of tourists.
He made the appeal in view of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revoking the community activity restrictions (PPKM) policy on December 30, 2022. "The termination of PPKM is a breath of fresh air and very influential for the tourists (in making travel decisions), since it shows that COVID-19 condition in Indonesia is very under control,” the minister said during a virtual weekly briefing on Monday.
Still, his ministry has reminded the public and tourists to maintain their safety and health. In addition, the ministry will continue to promote the implementation of the CHSE certification program among tourism business actors.
CHSE 9042 has become a part of the Indonesian National Standard (SNI), which serves as a reference for managers and organizers of tourism activities to improve the quality of their services.
Uno said he expects the implementation of the CHSE standard to boost the trust of visitors. "(The certification is a) part of the development of higher quality and sustainable tourism," he remarked.
Later, there will be an audit and inspection conducted by the tourism affairs certification body for each CHSE certification holder regarding the implementation of the standard, he informed.
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The community and local tourism institutions will also monitor the services of every CHSE-certified tourism business, destination, and product. The minister informed that the chairperson of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Haryadi Sukamdani, has said that the PeduliLindungi application will still be used at hotels and restaurants as an anticipatory measure against any spike in COVID-19 cases.
Uno said he expects that the effectiveness of the application in preventing a surge in COVID-19 cases will improve. “The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, PHRI, and all local governments will keep strengthening vigilance even in the (current) transitional period (from pandemic) towards endemic through the revocation of PPKM," he added.
