PHRI says election not to affect tourism sector<\/p>\n
Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) is
\nhopeful that the current general election process will not harm
\nthe country's tourism sector.<\/p>\n
PHRI chairwoman Yanti Sukamdani Hardjoprakoso said on
\nWednesday that she had not seen anything untoward since the start
\nof the election campaign a few days ago.<\/p>\n
\"Thus far, the hotel occupancy rate is stable at between 45
\npercent and 50 percent. And I don't see that the election is
\nhaving any major impact, at least, not yet,\" said Yanti, adding
\nthat the occupancy rate in Jakarta had reached 55 percent a
\ncouple of months ago as there were a lot of conferences and
\nmeetings being held.<\/p>\n
The country is currently in the run-up to a general election
\nand its first ever direct presidential election, which may become
\na protracted seven-month process. There has been concern about
\nrising political tension and possible violence during the
\nelection. In fact, the rupiah and the stock market have come
\nunder severe pressure since the start of the election campaign
\nlast week, although some analysts say that the election jitters
\nhave now started to subside.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the hotel occupancy rate in Bali is currently
\naround 60 percent -- a reasonable figure considering that this is
\nnow low season (February to April).<\/p>\n
Last year, the low season occupancy rate stood at only between
\n40 percent and 45 percent in Jakarta, and 50 percent in Bali, the
\ncountry's main tourist destination.<\/p>\n
When the high season comes (May to September), the rate is
\nexpected to reach between 55 percent and 60 percent in Jakarta,
\nand between 70 percent and 80 percent in Bali.<\/p>\n
In 2003, the occupancy rate during high season in Jakarta was
\n60 percent while in Bali it was around 80 percent.<\/p>\n
The number of tourists visiting Indonesia last year reached
\n4.4 million, of which 1 million traveled to Jakarta, 1.3 million
\nto Batam, and less than 1 million to Bali, leaving the rest
\nspread throughout the country.<\/p>\n
This year, the number is expected to increase to 5 million,
\nwith 1.2 million traveling to Jakarta, 1.3 million to Batam and 1
\nmillion to Bali, with the other 1.5 million spread throughout the
\narchipelago.<\/p>\n
The number of tourists is higher in Batam as the industrial
\nisland is the top destination for businesspeople from around the
\nworld.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/phri-says-election-not-to-affect-tourism-sector-1447893297",
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