High price to pay

High price to pay

From Neraca

Last December, I was assigned to conduct a week-long survey in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, in my capacity as a government employee. I was accompanying a consultant from a private company.

We decided to look for accommodation at Senggigi Beach, known for its beautiful scenery. My colleague initially recommended that we stay at a star-rated hotel. But the hotel's rates were quoted in American dollars -- about US$80 per night -- and I could not afford the expense as my travel allowance was in rupiah.

We found a suitable cottage on the beach but, to our amazement, their rate was also priced in dollars. The cottage quoted a daily rate of $20, equivalent to Rp 160,000 at the exchange rate of Rp 8,000 at that time. This would have cost me almost twice my allowance as a third-level civil servant.

Fortunately, the establishment's owner understood our situation and provided an extra bed for one room. The consultant paid the rate in full and treated me as his guest.

I appeal to the authorities concerned to consider this issue and rule that hotels should quote their rates in rupiah.

NURMAN HERDI

Jakarta