Accor Asia-Pacific puts Banten's delights on the map
Accor Asia-Pacific puts Banten's delights on the map
By I. Christianto
JAKARTA (JP): World-class hotel management company Accor Asia-
Pacific is looking to develop more properties in Tanjung Lesung
in Banten, West Java, in addition to its existing four-star
property in the emerging tourist resort area.
Company executive Oswald Pichler believed Tanjung Lesung's
distinctive attraction was that it was within easy reach of
Jakarta but still comfortably removed from the hassles of the big
city in a supremely beautiful location. Nestled along a natural
peninsula bordering the Sunda Strait, Tanjung Lesung is notable
for its outstanding attractions.
"The whole Tanjung Lesung area, including the Tanjung Lesung
Resort Hotel which is managed by Accor, has a beautiful setting
facing the sea," he said.
New sites
It is developed by PT Banten West Java Tourism Development
Corporation, which aims to develop promising new sites in western
Java for tourism as well as supporting services. It is inviting
major international travel and hospitality industries to jointly
develop the ambitious project.
Banten, approximately 85 km west of Jakarta, is notable for
its glorious remnants of ancient buildings and sites brimming
with historical significance. Only a three-hour drive from
Jakarta, Banten offers idyllic beaches ideal for swimming,
snorkeling, fishing, water skiing and sailing.
There are the pleasing nature reserves, a spectacular volcano,
several endangered animal species, coral reefs, stunning scenery
and an anthropological adventure among the indigenous
communities.
Among its areas for conservation and preservation, it also has
strength in industrial and business sectors.
Pichler promised the development of Tanjung Lesung would be
magnificent.
"That's why we want to operate another hotel in the complex as
we think one hotel will not be enough for the whole Tanjung
Lesung when it's completed."
Compared with other tourist locations supporting Accor's
hotels, he said Tanjung Lesung was outstanding in offering a
deluxe style resort, a beautiful setting and the opportunity for
relaxation and quiet.
Tanjung Lesung Resort Hotel, he said, is the ideal site for
weary Jakarta residents to rest and relax.
"It's just like a recharging process after working in a
metropolitan area with moderate rates."
With a new government in the country, Pichler said it was
Accor's aim to increase public awareness of its hotels in
Indonesia.
"We have survived because we believe that we should stay after
the critical situation in Indonesia."
Accor is about to relaunch its image, he added.
"We want to increase the awareness that we're here with
thousands of rooms." He said promotions, sales, road shows and
advertising campaigns were planned domestically and
internationally.
Quality
Accor, a subsidiary of the French hotel management giant Accor
SA, is currently the leading international hotel chain in
Indonesia, running 30 hotels and apartments with more than 4,600
rooms under several names, including Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure
and Ibis.
It manages 3,300 hotels and resorts around the world. In
Indonesia, Accor has incorporated PT AAPC Indonesia to establish
itself as the largest and most dynamic hotel group in the
country.
As with other hotel chains in Indonesia, Accor recorded a
decrease in its occupancy rate in the last couple of years due to
the country's multiple economic and political crises. There is
hope for a stable economic and political situation under the new
government.
"We also expect to see an increase at the Tanjung Lesung
Resort Hotel as the tourist projects in the complex are
expanding," Pichler said.
He said the hotel recorded 25 percent to 30 percent in
occupancy rates on weekdays.
"But there's a long waiting list for the weekends," he said.
"When the whole Tanjung Lesung is more elaborate, more people
will be living there. Some of their relatives, families and
friends will come to see them. Meanwhile, some guests will extend
after Sunday.
"So we believe there are more guests to come. In addition,
there'll be also a conference room which will be available for
companies which want to hold meetings or something else."
Pichler noted that Tanjung Lesung Resort Hotel and other Accor
hotels in Indonesia charged rates in the rupiah.
It is beneficial for local people, he said. The fall of the
rupiah against the greenback caused Indonesian travelers to focus
on domestic trips instead of the pricey prospect of venturing
abroad.
A new Bali
Pichler lauded the Tanjung Lesung Resort Hotel's Banten-style
exterior design and exotic panorama, which he called "just like
Bali years ago".
Tanjung Lesung Resort Hotel offers 61 cottages with 114 rooms,
including private dining pavilions.
Guests are able to select various water recreation activities
and sports, including jet-skiing, wind-surfing, sailing,
snorkeling, fishing, watercraft, canoeing and scuba diving. Other
activities comprise a banana boat, glass bottom boat, water
polo, beach volleyball, table tennis and excursions to Krakatau
and Ujung Kulon.