Let's Plan Our Travel Again...

The increasing trend of tourist travel, will certainly move the real sector in the regions. The business world and tourists hope that the government will continue to support and strengthen the tourism-service ecosystem.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Visitors at the 2018 Kompas Travel Fair which took place at the Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Friday (7/9/2018). The travel exhibition which lasted for three days was also held simultaneously in Surabaya, Medan and Makassar.

Petra Frian (29), along with a lover and two friends, has been surfing the internet for almost a month looking for information on countries in Europe to be visited, such as Italy, Belgium, Romania, Macedonia and Albania.

The country was chosen not only because they wanted to see the splendor of its architecture and history, but also for its natural beauty. The planning and selection of destination locations has been ongoing for almost two years. However, the opportunity was lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I have been saving specifically for traveling abroad. There were plans to depart in 2021. However, the pandemic was still ongoing. This year we are preparing again, even though the certainty of leaving is not yet known. If not this year, certainly next year. For the past two years, in Jakarta only, I was really bored," said the advertising-agency employee in Jakarta, on Thursday (8/9/2022).

Of the five selected countries, said Petra, there are two or three countries that must be visited. He was excited about planning his next trip.

“More to nature tourism than city. Find one that doesn't have a lot of people. We've been looking for a travel agency that can fulfill our wishes. However, I haven't found a suitable one in terms of price and other packages. We don't have to stay in three- or five-star hotels,” said Petra.

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The Covid-19 pandemic has also prevented Chatarina Komala (30), from South Tangerang, Banten, from traveling to Nepal in 2021. She has also spent a lot of time on vacation in a number of local destinations, such as Mount Prau, Dieng, Central Java.

Still in the midst of the pandemic, but one that is starting to subside, Chatarina is re-planning her trip to Nepal. “The advantage of using a travel agency is that we can relax and just go away. All is taken care of by the agents; the price is competitive when we order it ourselves,” she said.

A number of travel agencies do not want to miss the opportunity to attract adventurers who have missed traveling, both domestically and abroad.

Their participation in the Kompas Travel Fair (KTF) at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Central Jakarta, from Friday (9/9) to Sunday (11/9), is an opportunity to attract potential tourists. Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Minister Abdul Halim Iskandar was scheduled to open the KTF this Friday.

The tourism climate is improving. Then there is the Kompas Travel Fair; we welcome it enthusiastically after a two-year interruption.

The travel-agency managers have also prepared attractive packages or promos. Various promos are also offered by airlines and banks that participate in KTF.

Head of Marketing Communication of Golden Rama Tours and Travel Ricky Hilton said that, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, there were 352,000 transactions per year for tours. However, during the strong wave of Covid-19 cases at the end of 2020, the number of transactions fell. Travel demand increased again in 2021.

“The tourism climate is improving. Then there is the Kompas Travel Fair; we welcome it enthusiastically after a two-year interruption. Tourism business actors use the Kompas Travel Fair as an opportunity to come out of their pandemic-era hibernation," said Ricky.

Since the first time KTF was held, Golden Rama Tours and Travel has never been absent. This time they prepared, among other things, a tour to Turkey for 10-12 days, valued at Rp 12.8 million, including tickets and hotels. Then there is the 4-day promo to Japan for Rp 4.8 million up to a 12-day tour to Paris, London and Amsterdam valued at Rp 12.8 million.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Workers complete the construction of the Kompas Travel Fair (KTF) exhibition booth at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) Senayan, Jakarta, Thursday (8/9/2022). KTF 2022 will take place September 9-11, 2022.

Anita Gouw, Project Management Officer of Bayu Buana Travel Services, said that KTF has become an exciting instigator for domestic and foreign travel, which had declined due to the pandemic. “We hope that through KTF, we can attract more consumers. There are many promos from airlines and we have also prepared many promos," said Anita.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Anita said, there were three peak seasons of travel, such as Idul Fitri holidays, school holidays, Christmas and New Year's. Some of the favorite destinations for domestic tourism are Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara; West Nusa Tenggara; and Bali. The tourist destinations abroad, among others, are Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and European countries. Bayu Buana can dispatch 150 groups in one peak-holiday season, which contains an average of 30 people.

Cheap tickets

Tourists enjoy trips designed by travel agencies. They choose tourist destinations, while travel agents plan and prepare technical matters during their vacation. In short, tourists can enjoy the holiday atmosphere in peace.

“The low season is also getting a lot of attention now. The consideration is that the destination is not too crowded. Second, ticket prices are much cheaper. Many also take advantage of ‘hari kejepit national’ or days between off days for sightseeing,” said Anita.

Nature tourism is also in great demand. This consumer behavior is what Bayu Buana Travel wants to capture through promo packages in KFT. “Another example of adaptation is consumers' desire to join a tour that is not crowded. Therefore, we adapt to their needs. Usually a group consists of 30 people, now 20-25 people. Then, there is the ‘Eksplore’ package with only four people, or packages for families… and there are many other package promos that we offer at KTF," she said.

Due to their adaptations, said Anita, the travel agencies are able to survive despite being rocked by the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, the direct communication approach with consumers is the reason travel agencies are still trusted by customers.

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Tourists are very enthusiastic to return to their travels. In addition to overseas, domestic travel has increased sharply. It is also offered in the KTF at the JCC, Central Jakarta, this Friday.

“Demand for domestic destinations is very high. This is our potential to bring in more local, even foreign tourists, who can have an impact on regional progress. Bali and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) are favorites, but there are many other areas which are beautiful and the fans are extraordinary," said Anita.

Chatarina hoped that the government would continue to promote domestic tourism by building adequate infrastructure and accommodation. “Indonesia is cool with many beautiful and amazing locations. However, there is still bad tourist behavior. Awareness of protecting the environment is low, including littering," said Chatarina.

The increasing trend of tourist travel, especially domestically, will certainly move the real sector in the regions. The business world and tourists hope that the government will continue to support and strengthen the tourism-service ecosystem.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.