High price to pay<\/p>\n
From Neraca<\/p>\n
Last December, I was assigned to conduct a week-long survey in
\nLombok, West Nusa Tenggara, in my capacity as a government
\nemployee. I was accompanying a consultant from a private company.<\/p>\n
We decided to look for accommodation at Senggigi Beach, known
\nfor its beautiful scenery. My colleague initially recommended
\nthat we stay at a star-rated hotel. But the hotel's rates were
\nquoted in American dollars -- about US$80 per night -- and I
\ncould not afford the expense as my travel allowance was in
\nrupiah.<\/p>\n
We found a suitable cottage on the beach but, to our
\namazement, their rate was also priced in dollars. The cottage
\nquoted a daily rate of $20, equivalent to Rp 160,000 at the
\nexchange rate of Rp 8,000 at that time. This would have cost me
\nalmost twice my allowance as a third-level civil servant.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, the establishment's owner understood our
\nsituation and provided an extra bed for one room. The consultant
\npaid the rate in full and treated me as his guest.<\/p>\n
I appeal to the authorities concerned to consider this issue
\nand rule that hotels should quote their rates in rupiah.<\/p>\n
NURMAN HERDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/high-price-to-pay-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }