Coronavirus: “no cases” in Indonesia, tourism is falling in Southeast Asia

Text by: RFI Follow

Due to the coronavirus epidemic, tourists cancel or postpone their trip to Southeast Asia. But while the virus continues to run, it would have stopped at the borders of Indonesia: still no case of contagion reported by Jakarta.

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No contamination. How is this possible when Indonesia welcomes 2 million Chinese travelers every year, flights from China were only suspended very late, more than a month after the start of the epidemic and all neighboring countries are affected?

Statistically, this is impossible, according to specialists at Harvard University in the United States. In a study published last week, they recommend that Indonesia increase its level of alertness.

In the field, the equipment is lacking. It was not until February 5, just 10 days ago, that the coronavirus detection kits were operational. In other words, until now, doctors could detect the disease in case of fever. But it also means that infected patients who had no apparent symptoms may have fallen through the cracks.

" We don't have the equipment, we live in an archipelago of several thousand islands that are difficult to control, " admits the boss of the Red Cross. It is not the official line.

The Indonesian Minister of Health speaks of insulting criticism. " We follow international procedures," he defends. We are not hiding anything, it may be surprising, but it is like that: we have not yet reported any case of coronavirus. "

Sharp drop in tourism in Southeast Asia

Drastic measures taken by the Chinese authorities to try to contain the epidemic prevent the Chinese from traveling. A significant shortfall for the neighboring countries of the middle empire.

This is the case of Thailand, which last year welcomed 11 million Chinese, or 27% of all its foreign visitors. Since the beginning of February, Thailand has lost 86% of tourists from China. Same scenario in Vietnam where the collapse is more marked with 90 to 100% fewer Chinese travelers.

And these losses are not offset by the arrival of tourists from other regions of the world. European, American or Australian travelers refrain while the virus prevails mainly in mainland China and that few people, for the moment, have been infected in Southeast Asia.

The situation becomes worrying for these tourism-dependent economies. In Thailand, activity represents 20% of GDP and losses linked to the epidemic should amount to almost 7 billion euros this year, or 1.5% of the country's GDP. In Vietnam, the coronavirus could cost between 5 and 7 billion euros by May.

► Read also: Cambodia: the impact of the coronavirus on the tourism industry

“A virtual stop in bookings” to Southeast Asia

■ Didier Arino is a tour operator for the Protourisme brand. For him, the consequences of the disease are already being felt.

“ We can see that the clienteles are wait-and-see. That they seek to be reassured about the absence of viruses in resort destinations. There are those who had already booked their stay, and those for the most part, apart from China of course, have left for Thailand, Cambodia, Burma and other Asian countries. On the other hand, there is a near-stop of reservations towards these destinations. It is not worrying in the short term, but it can become worrying if the situation continues. We can say that it will be very complicated for the countries around China with a fall not only of the Chinese, but also of Western clienteles towards these countries. What we saw last year, first of all, is already a certain disaffection towards Asian destinations. So this year, the decrease exceeds 25 to 30 % to many of these destinations. But if we look since the emergence of the coronavirus, we are in reductions in bookings, especially these last minute or last month bookings which exceed 50 %. So it is starting to become worrying for these destinations and for travel agencies. "

► Read also: Coronavirus: air transport strongly impacted

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• coronavirus
• China
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Cambodia
• Vietnam
• Tourism

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