Hotel vandalism affects tourism

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)