Pontjo denies wrongdoing with Hilton<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Pontjo Sutowo, a noted hotelier, denied on
\nWednesday an allegation that he did not settle his service dues
\nto Hilton International, which previously managed his five
\nproperties.<\/p>\n
Pontjo said he met all the obligations stated in the contract,
\nincluding those related to service payments as disputed by the
\nhotel chain.<\/p>\n
\"I don't have any unpaid obligation because I've paid the fees
\non all services to Hilton International,\" he said in his first
\ncomment on his dispute with the hotel chain.<\/p>\n
Hilton International announced in July it was withdrawing all
\nits services from all Hilton hotels in Indonesia following a
\nprolonged dispute with the hotel owner over payment.<\/p>\n
Hilton International said the dispute emerged after the hotel
\nowners failed to pay Hilton International and group companies for
\nglobal sales and marketing and distribution services provided to
\nthe hotels.<\/p>\n
The Hilton's move affected five properties: the Jakarta Hilton
\nInternational, Lagoon Tower Jakarta Hilton International, the
\nHilton Residence, Patra Surabaya Hilton International and Bali
\nHilton International.<\/p>\n
Hilton said the five properties, all controlled by the Pontjo
\nfamily, may continue to carry the Hilton name until the dispute
\nwas settled. However, the Hilton said it would not be responsible
\nfor the level of service guests at the five hotels received and
\nwould refuse all liability and responsibility in relation to the
\nhotels and their guests until the dispute was resolved.<\/p>\n
Pontjo said Hilton International had direct management control
\nover Hilton hotels in the country for a long period until in
\n1996, when his company Indobuildco and Hilton formed a joint
\nventure company, PT Kelola Santana, to take care of the
\nmanagement and daily operation of the hotels under a 20-year
\nfranchise scheme cooperation.<\/p>\n
He said the disagreement between his company Indobuildco and
\nHilton International did not involve the entire regular
\nmanagement and service cooperation, but only additional services
\nprovided by Hilton International on occasional requests.<\/p>\n
Pontjo said his company had paid Hilton International for the
\noccasional services.<\/p>\n
Pontjo said the move by Hilton International did not in any
\nway affect the quality of services provided by his hotels.<\/p>\n
\"The withdrawal has made no difference to the quality of our
\nservice. Nor is it affecting our occupancy rate. People still
\ncome here,\" he said, adding that the hotel's occupancy rate this
\nyear stood stable at around 30 percent on average. (cst)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pontjo-denies-wrongdoing-with-hilton-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}