East Java hoteliers focus on MICE activities

SURABAYA (JP): Hotel operators in East Java are eagerly looking for MICE (meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition) activities to help survive the present economic hardship.

The five-star hotels in Surabaya like the Westin and Hyatt Regency, for instance, have been regularly used as exhibition venues.

At the moment, an exhibition on European furniture is taking place at Westin.

"At a moment like this, with the multidimensional crisis that we are experiencing, we cannot expect a lot," said A. Adelie, director of Grand Residence Service Apartment and Grand Bromo Hotel.

Hotel guests or tourists, he went on, "are always concerned about the security factor in the country that they are going to visit. That's why, it is easier for us to focus on MICE."

It is quite ironical because the high value of the U.S. dollar against the local currency should actually encourage tourists to visit Indonesia and stay in luxury hotels here.

But such a dream remains a dream due to the security problems, particularly in East Java, which in the past few days have become tense.

For hoteliers, the unfavorable situation could reduce their hotel's occupancy rate and ruin their business.

Other serious problems faced by many hotel operators here are the variety of taxation imposed by the local government following the implementation of regional autonomy, and the planned hike of electricity and fuel prices.

For many hoteliers, these factors will not only affect them financially, but also lead to the closure of their businesses

Based on the current unfavorable situation, many hoteliers in major cities, towns and tourist destinations in East Java are offering various attractive packages to guests and event organizers.

"The meeting packages that we are offering have received good response. Guests are coming in, but the occupancy is still not even half precrisis rates," said Adelie.

Grand Bromo Hotel, a three-star hotel in the popular tourist destination of Mount Bromo, is now experiencing better occupancy rates compared to the early years of the economic crisis.

According to Adelie, many hotel operators here are targeting big companies which allow their staff and their families to enjoy recreational time together as an incentive.

"They are a big potential here," he said.

Adelie suggested that related provincial agencies in Surabaya should promote tourism.

He said tourists are often unsure what to do or see in Surabaya after their arrival due to the lack of information.

Actually, he explained, the government could provide brief and useful information on tourist destinations, attractions and cultural events on the Internet.

"So visitors could access the Net and get the information prior to their arrival here. They would be willing to spend their money if they know how and where to spend it," he hoped.

Another example is the misperception about Mount Bromo.

Many people, he said, thought the only attraction at the mountain was viewing the sunrise.

"Actually, the trip up the mountain offers beautiful scenery too," Adelie said.

He also proposed that the Surabaya administration paid more attention to the cleanliness and security of the city, which is the country's second largest after Jakarta.

-- Sirikit Syah