Marzuki endorses guest houses

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Marzuki Usman is encouraging city residents to enter the guest house business to help promote the country's tourist industry and earn themselves additional income.

"I dream of more people providing a room in their houses for tourists. They could earn enough money from this activity," he told reporters Thursday on a visit to Wisma Garminah, a guest house owned by the widow of the capital's first governor.

Marzuki seemed proud as he toured the house, built in the Javanese style. Mrs. Soemarno, 84, runs the home located on Jl. Taman Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, after her husband, Soemarno Sosroatmodjo, died in 1991.

"People could imitate Mrs. Soemarno, who is still working at her age. She doesn't depend for her livelihood on her sons or daughters," he said.

"People's stay at Wisma Garminah is like staying at an Indonesian home," said Mrs. Soemarno, who speaks English, Dutch and Japanese.

She offers seven standard rooms at a rate of Rp 140,000 (US$12.4) a night, including breakfast, and three deluxe rooms for Rp 180,000. (jun)