Hostels' lucrative trade dries up

Hostels' lucrative trade dries up

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Many initially applauded the removal
of streetwalkers from the Baturaden tourist resort a fortnight
ago, but now the owners of hundreds of nearby hostels complain
they are going bankrupt because no one is using their facilities
anymore.

Unabashedly, the owners of some 150 non-star (Melati-class)
hotels admit the presence of prostitutes in the area has helped
keep their small lodgings full.

One of the owners, Eddy, 45, confessed that even though his
small hostel only had 10 rooms, he could receive 20 guests a day.

Most of the guests booked the rooms for "short time" periods
of about three hours and were charged about Rp 15,000.

"No one is coming these days," he told The Jakarta Post,
adding that business has plummeted over the past two weeks.

"I know this is a forbidden (trade) but how are we supposed to
fill our stomachs."

Authorities raided the area two weeks ago arresting 200 women
suspected of prostitution and 13 men for pimping. (45)