JAKARTA: Indonesians travelling to Singapore and Malaysia are mostly unfazed by the haze that has affected the air quality in these countries.
The Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies said it has not seen any significant number of cancellations, but that could change if the situation does not improve in the coming months.
There are clear, blue skies over Jakarta. The Indonesian capital remains unaffected by the smog from forest fires, which are raging through Sumatra’s Riau province.
News that the haze has driven the air quality in Singapore and Malaysia to hazardous levels has not deterred Indonesians’ plans to visit these countries.
Travel agencies said people have been told, but flights are still fully booked.
Hasiyanna Ashadi, chairperson of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (Jakarta), said: “We have to inform them, even though the decision is with the guest. We have to tell them that the haze is already at the level which is not good for the health.”
The current haze that is shrouding parts of the region may not have a significant effect on the Indonesian travel industry yet.
However, travel and tour companies in Jakarta will be meeting on Friday to update and review the haze problem.
This is because if the haze continues for the next few months, it could have a severe impact on the travel industry.
Ms Hasiyanna said: “The guests who are travelling now, maybe… they will come back and tell their friends or their neighbours that in Singapore and Malaysia, ‘the haze is so thick and we cannot go around… maybe (it is) better to change your destination’.”
So while package tours have not yet been affected, that could change if air pollution levels remain high in Singapore and Malaysia over the coming months.
One Indonesian said: “If it reaches hazardous levels, then I might postpone (my trip).”
1.5 million Indonesians visit Singapore every year, while about 2.3 million visit Malaysia.
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