East Java hoteliers focus on MICE activities

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