Jakarta hotels offer more incentives to lure guests

Jakarta hotels offer more incentives to lure guests

T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta

Some have desk jobs, but for others work entails travel -- both domestic and international.

Thanks to the optimum standards of service offered at many of the world's hotels, business travel can be a pleasurable experience.

In Jakarta, business travelers are the main targets of hoteliers. Comfortable rooms, delicious food, good service and premium facilities make it easier for businesspeople to keep up with their busy lifestyles.

This is evident in the fact that many businesspeople, who reside in the capital, book hotel suites for the weekend for no other reason other than that the environment is conducive to recovery from the week's heavy workload.

The hotel industry is doing well this year, even better than last year, as stated by a number of star-rated hotels contacted by The Jakarta Post.

Many remember the dark years following the economic crisis that hit the country in 1997, changing the luck of so many people.

Then, in 2002, tragedy hit the country with the Bali bombings, in which 202 people, mostly foreign tourists, were killed. Hoteliers had to make every effort to survive.

Slowly but surely, came the fruits of their hard work. An improved security situation and conducive political climate meant that tourists began to return last year. Compared to the time before the crisis, business is still a bit slow, but there is hope for a better future.

Five-star hotels in Jakarta enjoyed a relatively high occupancy rate this year. JW Marriot for, instance, has had an occupancy rate of above 60 percent since a year ago, while Hotel Borobudur and Hotel Nikko enjoyed a high occupancy rate of 70 percent and 80 percent, respectively.

Four-star hotels like Ciputra, Santika and Salak, which is located in Bogor, about an hour's drive from the city, have also enjoyed robust business. Hotel Ciputra, Santika Group and Hotel Salak in Bogor, whose main targets are local businesspeople, have occupancy rates of 88 percent, 66 percent and 60 percent, respectively.

What is the secret of their success?

"We are committed to taking every opportunity to earn our guests's loyalty by anticipating, understanding and serving their travel needs," said Mellani from JW Marriot.

"We continue to review our services and spend a lot of time thinking about what guests will demand next. It's important to keep up with lifestyle trends," she added.

The Santika Group, or Hotel Santika Indonesia, which has 12 hotels throughout the country, has a special sales promotion program for corporate clients, a customer-loyalty reward program and incentives for regular guests.

"For 10 check-ins or 30 room nights, the guest is entitled to a complimentary night in any of our hotels," said Vivi Herlambang, promotion manager of the Santika Group.

Gran Melia, which cooperates with travel agents and embassies to reach out to its potential guests, offers competitive prices and additional services through an upselling program.

"We are very aggressive in our marketing strategy. We offer more facilities -- but are still able to maintain our rates -- such as free pressing for laundry," said Hana Hoed, the PR manager of the hotel.

"Like Santika Group, Hotel Nikko also has a special promotion program as well as cooperating with travel agencies and embassies and offering various packages with special prices and benefits, according to Sugeng Purnomo, assistant public relations manager of Hotel Nikko Jakarta

Special packages with special prices and facilities are in fact on offer at all hotels. Hotel Borobudur, for instance, has the so-termed Hot Summer Package, Premium Break Experience, Ramadhan package and Business package.

Gran Melia has the Weekend Package, Rupiah Package, Royal Service Package and Meeting Package. The weekday rupiah package is Rp 820,000 per night/room, while the weekend package is Rp 720,000 per night/room, including breakfast at Cafe Gran Via for two persons. The packages are available for Indonesian citizens and KIM/KITAS (stay permit/temporary stay permit) holders only.

The Royal Service package is for the hotel's Executive Club rooms, which have their own lounge and other extra facilities, for US$125 per night/room. As for the meeting package, prices vary according to the number of participants and how many days they stay.

JW Marriot offers a Business Package at the rate of US$143 per night in the Deluxe Room, applicable during weekdays and for single occupancy. Guests are entitled to breakfast, 20 percent discount at the Business Center, free usage of the Alameda Spa & Health Club and a daily newspaper.

A Cyber Package is available at Hotel Ciputra, where the rooms are provided with broad brand and direct access to the Internet.

In spite of these great offers, hoteliers must continue to lift their standards in the face of new challenges.

Negative travel advisories and the increasing number of hotel rooms in Jakarta have become the biggest challenges for Hotel Borobudur, said Francisca Kansil, the hotel public relations manager.

"There will always be competition -- wherever you are -- our number one concern is to focus on our goals. But we are committed to providing excellent service so that guests will return to our hotel," she said.

"Hotel Borobudur, with plans underway to renovate the rooms, expects to see more guests once the economy stabilizes.

"It's hard to predict the direction in which the hospitality industry is heading at the moment, but we have a positive outlook for the rest of this year," Francisca said.

Hana of Gran Melia said she was quite optimistic this year, despite the economic and political difficulties experienced by the country. "The market is there. What we need is just to work 'smarter' to ensure that more corporate clients will use our facilities and services."