Hotel Wisata aims for 70% occupancy rate

JAKARTA (JP): With expectations of a continuing stable political situation, state-owned Hotel Wisata Internasional has set an overall occupancy rate target of 70 percent, its general manager said on Monday.

"If the political situation is stable, we expect an occupancy rate of 70 percent by the end of this year," general manager Soeroso said in a ceremony marking the hotel's 22nd anniversary.

Located behind the state-owned Hotel Indonesia, Hotel Wisata has 240 rooms with a current occupancy rate of 68 percent.

He said most of the guests were domestic tourists, with foreigners only compromising 10 percent of the guests.

With the government as the majority shareholder, Hotel Wisata enjoys a steady flow of income through government-sponsored conventions, he said.

He cited the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Education as loyal customers.

The hotel relies heavily on conventions and has 13 convention rooms to meet the need for seminars and training courses.

Soeroso said hotel income was also generated by rental fees. "We rent office space to companies, either foreign or domestic. And we are planning to rent rooms to individuals."

Asked to describe the benefit of staying at the hotel, Soeroso said it now emphasizes generating a family-like atmosphere for guests.

Soeroso said the hotel's strategic location and its affordable price rates were other factors that have lured business travelers.

"The hotel's strategic location is definitely our main competitive advantage."

Hotel Wisata was built in 1962 and was originally slated as an apartment for employees of Hotel Indonesia, which started its operation in 1962.

With employees deciding in greater numbers to live outside the premises, in 1966 rooms in the building were gradually made available for Hotel Indonesia guests.

The apartment was renovated as a hotel in 1973 and started its operations in 1977. (03)