Hotel occupancy flat amid campaign<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association
\n(PHRI) said on Tuesday there was no sign of an increase in room
\ndemand from local residents during the past two weeks as the
\ngeneral election campaign proceeded without major incident.<\/p>\n
Association deputy chairman Said Umar Husin said earlier
\npredictions there would be a sudden influx during the campaign
\nperiod proved untrue.<\/p>\n
\"No significant number of locals have asked for rooms since
\nthe beginning of campaign six days ago,\" Said noted, adding that
\npeople still preferred to stay in their residences.<\/p>\n
Speculation about a surge in hotel occupancy centered on the
\nfear that rivalries among the 48 political parties could spark
\nunrest similar to last May's widespread disturbances.<\/p>\n
Locals and expatriate residents packed hotels in the capital
\nduring the rioting. Hundreds of offices and retail outlets were
\nburned and looted during the May riots, which led to the
\nresignation of Soeharto after 32 years in the presidency.<\/p>\n
PHRI reported the sudden influx to hotels at the time boosted
\nthe average occupancy rate to 80 percent, a 100 percent increase
\nfrom the average 40 percent.<\/p>\n
Some association members earlier predicted an influx during
\nthe campaign and believed it would raise their occupancy rates,
\nhit hard by a downturn in foreign tourist arrivals due to
\nsecurity fears.<\/p>\n
PHRI expected the average hotel occupancy rate to reach 50
\npercent from the between 20 percent and 30 percent recorded
\nduring the year's first quarter.<\/p>\n
Said believed the predicted increase for May and June was
\nunlikely to occur if the campaign ran smoothly.<\/p>\n
He said the presence of many foreign election observers and
\njournalists was too small to bolster the low occupancy rate.<\/p>\n
\"That's because the number of regular guests who left the
\ncountry in anticipation of riots plus those who canceled visits
\nto Jakarta following travel advisories issued by some countries
\nwas higher than the number of these people (foreign election
\nobservers and journalists).\"<\/p>\n
He said many foreigners were afraid to visit the country
\nbecause of security concerns.<\/p>\n
The military and police force's effort to ensure the
\nsafety and security in the city by deploying armed personnel in
\nmany public places has boomeranged by raising unease among many
\nforeigners, he said.<\/p>\n
Said regretted the Jakarta Police chief's statement on Monday,
\nsaying the police were ready to evacuate foreigners if riots
\noccurred during the campaign and elections period.<\/p>\n
\"The statement has only made people more worried and led them
\nto believe that the situation has really become worse from day to
\nday.\"<\/p>\n
He predicted the occupancy rate would stay below 30 percent
\nuntil September, which would be contingent on no clashes
\noccurring during the period.<\/p>\n
\"The rate may go up to 50 percent this year only if the new
\nappointed government could immediately start fixing up problems
\nand maintain political stability,\" he said.<\/p>\n
According to political observer Fachry Ali, the domestic
\npolitical situation is the most significant factor in determining
\nthe fate of the country's tourism industry.<\/p>\n
\"The more stable the political situation, the better the
\ntourism industry will grow,\" he said. (cst)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hotel-occupancy-flat-amid-campaign-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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