3 Tourism Trends of Indonesian Local Citizens in the Middle of Pandemic

Photo by: Stijn Dijkstra (Pexels)

​JPTG.-- Covid-19 pandemic has changed the habits of local people in traveling. Adaptation to new habits in the form of wearing masks, maintaining cleanliness and social distancing are important things when traveling on tourism. Security, safety and healthy are the keywords that everyone doing today to be comfortable and safe in traveling.

Based on our observations as local residents, during the corona pandemic from the beginning of March 2020 to the present, there are 3 types of travel which have always been used by the Indonesian people in traveling on tourism every weekend. They are: Staycation, Wellness Tour and Short Roadtrip.

Here's the report :

​1. STAYCATION

Image: indonesia.travel

Staycation or a 1-2 day travel method in close proximity to the residence city was chosen by many Indonesians during the pandemic. This method is mostly used by local people when traveling. Based on our monitoring, almost on every weekend, many family cars visiting the nearest tourist area of ​​their city. The area visited is an open place with beautiful natural scenery with tourist attraction facilities without crowds. This includes facilities for overnight stays such as hotel rooms, family villas, or camping tents area.

Even options without staying overnight or just spending a full day traveling are also widely used. For example, many locals from Jakarta and Bekasi city (West Java) traveling to mountain or hills area nearby the city such as Bogor which is only 1-2 hours away. If they want to enjoy the beach they will visit Anyer Banten (West Java).

Tourist areas visited such as hills camping locations in Bogor or Sentul which are even closer to Jakarta. More privacy with family will be the reason besides of this staycation activity can keep social distancing and avoid crowds.

As well as with other cities around Indonesia such as Aceh, Yogyakarta and Banyuwangi (Java). The local residents prefer to travel 1-2 days with their families visit tourist sites around their suburbs which have open hills view along with natural attractions that already available.

Also Read: How to Turn Your Home Like a Dream Vacation Resort

​2. WELLNESS TOUR

Image: Panjang Jiwo Resort

Pandemic has left many people isolated, easily stress out, and under pressure. The situation caused many residents seeking out an outlet by carrying out healthy tourism activities and calming their minds.

We had observed a large number of Indonesians doing outdoor activities or taking a short trip to a place for camping, hiking, cycling and fishing. These activities believed could be able to free their mind and nourish the body while traveling. The area visited are also not too far or even nearby and around their community.

We’ve made a visit while relieving fatigue to one of the fishing places where there has stunning lodging facilities such as private small villas, hotel rooms, restaurants and swimming pools. The place is called "New Panjang Jiwo" Resort located in Sentul, Bogor, West Java. Panjang Jiwo comes from Javanese language which means “Long of Soul”. The distance is about 1 hour drive from Jakarta.

"Every weekend, this place is always full with people enjoy their holidays. If you don't book 1 or 2 days in advance, you may not get a place. Even on weekdays there are always some people who come to visit just spend the day, "said Sari, the waiters there.

Meanwhile in other place there are also peoples who spend their weekends cycling around the hills at Sentul area and Bogor Regency. While doing road trips and bring their mountain bikes, they explored some place that could be used as a cycling track at nature. If they stay overnight they setting up tents and some others only spend one day without staying overnight.

Also Read: 
- Tips for Safe and Comfortable Cycling during Pandemic Outbreak
- Stuck at Home or in a Tourism Spot? One of These 9 Simple Exercises Keep Your Body Fit and Fresh

​3. SHORT ROADTRIP

Illustrated: jammed roadtrip during long holidays

​A true road trip is traveling by private vehicles getting to a place while enjoying panorama or sceneries during the trip. This activity mostly carried out by Indonesians on every weekend or in the middle of a long holiday season.

Although it is suspected that the road trip activities to visit tourist attractions and relatives on each long holiday have caused a surge in number of positive cases Covid-19, many people still do it. Public transportation is not their choice because they feel unsafe in the midst of a pandemic.

People prefer to enjoy short trips in their private cars while maintaining health protocols to prevent spread of the Covid-19 virus by still wearing masks, keep social distancing and always washing their hands.
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Do you do the same out there when you take your holiday time during the pandemic? The most important things are keep staying positive and always stick to your health protocols.
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Happy travelling, folks! :)

Also Read : 5 Tips for Healthy and Safe Vacation in Indonesia During New Normal