Hotel vandalism affects tourism

BATAM, Riau: Acts of vandalism against the Oasis Hotel in Batam last Thursday has affected the tourist business, chairman of the Batam branch of the Association of Indonesian Restaurants and Hotels (PHRI) Urmy Sungkar says.

Speaking to The Jakarta Post on Thursday, Urmy said that he deeply regretted the violent actions of unidentified men against the hotel.

"Many tourists have canceled their plans to visit Batam," He said. He did not go into detail.

Last Thursday a group of around 15 people, carrying sharp weapons and clubs in their hands, attacked the Oasis Hotel at the Orchid Mas Center, Sei Jodoh. No one was injured in the incident.

The hotel public relations manager, Carolina Tarigan said the attackers did not steal anything. They just smashed the hotel's main door, ornaments as well as the interior of the front part of the building.

Unconfirmed reports said that the hotel was attacked for running illegal gambling on its 3rd floor.

Urmy said he had no idea that the three-star Oasis Hotel provided gambling counters for its guests. "If the reports are true the hotel deserves punishment."

He said that such acts of vandalism could deter business at the hotel despite the administration's attempts to enhance tourism in the area, he added.

"A total of 1.2 million foreign tourists entered Batam last year. The figure is smaller than the 1999 figure of 1.25 million, 75 percent of which came from Singapore. This year we expect 1.5 million tourists." (26/sur)