PHRI Central Java: National MTQ Boosts Hotel Occupancy

Semarang (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Central Java has stated that the hosting of the 31st National Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an (MTQ) in Semarang City is boosting hotel occupancy rates within the region.

The Acting Chairman of the PHRI Central Java Regional Leadership Body, Albert Dwijaya, stated in Semarang on Friday that the XXXI National MTQ event is creating a snowball effect, impacting not only hotel room occupancy but also the travel business, corporate gatherings, and MSMEs.

He noted that hotel occupancy has reached approximately 80 per cent and is projected to rise to 90 per cent during the peak of the National MTQ, which is scheduled to take place from 11–20 September 2026.

“What we are seeing is city occupancy at around the 80 per cent mark. We are optimistic that at its peak, hotel room occupancy could reach 90 per cent,” he said.

Consequently, PHRI Central Java has long since provided guidance to its 120 active members regarding the services provided to the delegations and guests during the event. He emphasised the importance of hospitality, cleanliness, comfort, and supporting facilities.

Furthermore, hotels serving as accommodation for the delegations have installed both electronic and conventional welcome banners. The hope is that event participants will experience a warm welcome throughout their stay in Semarang.

“Additionally, regarding food quality as well as halal certification and food safety, everything is in accordance with the standards required by the delegations,” he added.

To guarantee room availability, PHRI Central Java is also coordinating with hotels around Semarang City to ensure that guests and delegations participating in the event are able to secure accommodation.

“Economically, those benefiting are not only in the hotel and restaurant sectors, but certainly MSMEs as well. Therefore, we are also urging our MSME partners to be more active in promoting authentic or local Semarang products,” he said.

Previously, the Central Java Provincial Government estimated that the economic turnover from the 31st National MTQ in 2026 in Semarang would reach Rp1.2 trillion.

The Vice Governor of Central Java, Taj Yasin Maimoen, stated that this figure is the result of calculations by the Provincial Government together with BPS (Statistics Indonesia), taking into account economic activities throughout the MTQ series.

“We are hoping for Rp1.2 trillion. We calculated this with BPS recently,” he said.