Hotel occupancy rates up this year

JAKARTA (JP): The average hotel occupancy rate in the capital is up 26.25 percent from the previous year, Jakarta Hotel Controller Association chairman Diyak Mulahela said on Wednesday.

"Hotel owners are also optimistic that in 2001 the occupancy rate will be about 45 percent, up from the current 40 percent," Diyak said during an annual meeting of hotels owners grouped in the association.

Diyak also urged the city administration to increase efforts to promote the city as a tourist destination.

"Hotels and restaurants contribute a large portion to the city's revenue every year," Diyak said.

He added that from January to September of this year taxes on hotel, restaurant and entertainment charges reached Rp 285 billion.

According to the director general of the city's tourism agency, Parlindungan Hutabarat, who also attended the meeting, Jakarta currently has 26,695 hotel rooms. (jaw)