No Tourists Returning to Central Aceh After Disaster, Hotel Occupancy at Only 10 Per Cent

TAKENGON, KOMPAS.com — Four months after the disaster, no domestic or foreign tourists have returned to Central Aceh District and Bener Meriah District, Aceh Province.

As a result, numerous accommodations and hotels are experiencing low guest numbers, with some standing empty.

Miftah, General Manager of Fairuz Hotel, told Kompas.com on Wednesday (11 March 2026) that the primary obstacle for tourists visiting the highland region was damaged road access that is difficult to traverse.

“Road access connecting Central Aceh to North Aceh is barely passable. The same applies to the Central Aceh–Bireuen road route. Practically, only air transport is comfortable for visiting Central Aceh,” said Miftah.

“Even then, the guests who arrive are not tourists, but those assisting in post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction,” Miftah added.

Similar observations were made by Agus Eko, General Manager of Villa Bur Telege in Central Aceh.

“We are only at 10 per cent occupancy currently. Our occupancy has collapsed since the disaster. We hope this will receive government attention,” said Agus.

“For us, if the roads are repaired, this will encourage tourists to return. Central Aceh and Bener Meriah are tourism and agriculture areas. Therefore, good roads are the key to advancing this region,” he concluded.

For context, floods and landslides destroyed 18 districts and cities in Aceh on 26 November 2025. Thousands of people remain in evacuation camps. Road and bridge infrastructure are being rebuilt on an emergency basis.