Under the plan, destinations including Bali, Batam and Bintan would become “locomotive” regions.

And now, it’s among a handful of Indonesian destinations slated to reopen to international tourists within weeks.

In a statement issued by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, authorities announced the nation would look to partially re-open its borders to international visitors from July. Under the plan, destinations including Bali, Batam and Bintan would become “locomotive” regions, in what the government hopes will “kickstart tourism for the whole country — if the pandemic is handled as well as expected”. ”In preparation, the government has carried out a widespread vaccination program for targeted groups, including the tourism workforce,” the statement said.

“In addition, the government has also initiated the Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability (CHSE) certification program throughout the tourism sector in Indonesia.”

It sounds good in theory — but can you actually go?

Last week, Mr Uno said the government was setting up travel corridor arrangements with seven countries in preparation for the reopening, the Jakarta Post reported.

They included Belgium, France, Russia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the Netherland and Vietnam, whose ambassadors the minister has already met with.

“We hope that once the COVID-19 situation has become more conducive, the TCAs can be implemented within a short period of time,” he said.

Indonesian media also quoted Mr Uno as saying he had received a letter from the Australian ambassador, and hoped to schedule a meeting soon to “discuss some of the latest issues regarding tourism and the creative economy”.

Incoming tourists would be required to be in “good health, have met [travel] requirements and are ready to comply with all health protocols”, the Jakarta Post quoted the minister as saying.