Aerowisata plans to expand

JAKARTA (JP): Local hotel chain PT Aerowisata plans to buy more hotels in Bali this year despite the gloomy outlook for the tourist industry in the country.

Aerowisata's executive vice president Toto K. Sugiarto said on Thursday that the company planned to buy, or become partners in equity sharing contracts, one or two hotels in Bali this year.

"During the economic crisis only Bali will attract more tourists, so we decided to manage one or two more hotels there," he said.

He added that the new hotels would focus on attracting European visitors; a segment of the industry which is expected to grow this year.

The company, a subsidiary of state flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, currently manages three hotels: Hotel Sanur Beach in Bali; Hotel Senggigi Beach in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara and Grand Hotel Preanger in Bandung, West Java. (gis)