Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta post, Yogyakarta
A series of tragic events, locally and internationally, has shaken many tourist-related businesses, including hotels.
Not yet recovered from the Bali bombing, people had to deal with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak that scared people from traveling, and recently, people were again shocked by another bombing in the heart of the country's capital, Jakarta.
Hotels in Yogyakarta are also facing bad times, experiencing a drop in occupancy rates and visiting foreign tourists.
In order to survive, they have set their sights on local tourists. And competition is stiffer, with more hotels offering attractive promotions to lure more local visitors.
"Innovation is vital in this case and it has to follow ongoing trends, otherwise we won't be able to make people come," Yogyakarta Novotel Hotel spokeswoman Erny Kusmastuti told The Jakarta Post.
She cited significant events of the month, like the upcoming Independence Day celebrations on Aug. 17, as an example. "From such an event, we select a theme and make it our selling point."
Novotel offers Tour de Java food promotion this month, presenting a range of traditional Javanese food served in its Kedaton Restaurant, which is decorated with patriotic-themed ornaments dominated in the red and white colors of the country's national flag. The theme also influences the menu, like Independence Cake or Red White Cocktail.
"I think other hotels are also making the same efforts..." Erny said.
Exactly. Novotel is not alone in its efforts to lure customers. Other hotels have decorated using Independence Day- style ornaments and colors.
Yogyakarta Santika Hotel has put a price tag of Rp 40,000++ for an all-you-can-eat buffet at its Warung Kemerdekaan food promotion, offering culinary delights from 33 provinces as well as live traditional dances from Kalimantan and Sulawesi.
A fashion show presenting 12 local designers is also prepared for the eve of Independence Day (Aug. 16) taking The Spirit of Indonesia 2003 as its central theme. The show will showcase modern and traditional kebaya (traditional blouses), men's wear as well as Muslim casuals.
Yogyakarta Sheraton Mustika Resort and Spa also has a food promotion, Semarak Kreasi Nusantara, as part of its celebrations. The promotion, from Aug. 21 to 23, offers a range of traditional food served in the nuance of old Javanese villages.
"We will offer traditional food from five areas -- Bali, Java, Madura, Sumatra and Sulawesi," said Sheraton spokesman Bambang WS. The promotion is priced at Rp 72,900++ per person or Rp 45,000++ for children under 12 years of age.
Another promotion is also on offer at Yogyakarta Hyatt Regency's Bogey's Teras restaurant, titled Pesta 17-an (the 17th Party), on Aug. 17.
Under the plan, Bogey's Teras, located near the hotel's golf course, will be transformed into an old Javanese kampong along with Javanese ornaments like Gebyok Jawa (carved wooden gate), bamboo huts as well as paddy fields and coconut leaves to create a village atmosphere.
"That day, the waiters and waitresses will also dress up like village boys and girls wearing traditional sarong, lurik shirt and blangkon (Javanese style head cap) to serve cocktails of the day, Big Bamboo," said Yogyakarta Hyatt spokeswoman Jeni Handayani Ratnasari.
The promotion costs Rp 50,000 per person and is scheduled to start at 9 p.m., and features noted singer Katon Bagaskara and Kilimanjaro Band plus a fashion show by local designer and models.
Most hotels claim such promotional program could significantly raise the number of guests coming to their hotels, thus creating a regular market, especially local ones, for the hotel.
"Research conducted by our hotel shows that such promotions raises the number of guests," said Erny of Novotel, adding that regular research on guests' attitudes would help hotels meet guests' demands.
She said that at present Novotel was in the middle of research to find out tourists' attitudes regarding a series of tragic events, including the Bali bombing last year and recently, the JW Marriott bombing.