Tourism unaffected by Yogyakarta blast
Tourism unaffected by Yogyakarta blast
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Despite the recent bomb attack on a hospital
earlier last week, major hotels have not seen a decline in
occupancy rates with most claiming to be fully booked till the
end of the year.
Hotel Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta public relations officer Atik
Wildan told The Jakarta Post on Friday that the rooms were fully
booked throughout Dec. 28 to Jan. 1, 2001.
"It seems the recent bomb blast has not frightened our guests
and hopefully there won't be any room cancellations," Atik said.
"We have 269 rooms, and all of them, except the suite class,
have been booked. We are optimistic that soon the suite class
will be occupied, as we have until now some 100 guests on our
wait list," she added.
Hotel Melia Purosani public relations officer Winnie Sri
Rahayu told the Post that there were only four executive suites,
one junior duplex suite and another presidential suite left.
Shodiq Dicky Roehadi, public relations officer of Hotel
Santika Yogyakarta, said the hotel's 149 rooms, ranging from
moderate to suite class, had all been booked.
All three were convinced that tourist arrivals would not be
affected by Tuesday's incident in which a bomb exploded at the
state-run Dr. Sardjito General Hospital.
There is a prevailing belief among most in the ancient city
that Yogyakarta is still one of the safest locations in the
country.
"I believe that with Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X as our
governor, provocateurs will think twice before creating any
public disorder here," Atik said.
However, she conceded that their management had stepped up
security to anticipate any unexpected incidents.
"Unlike the previous year, this year more people are expected
to return here to celebrate the upcoming Christmas, Idul Fitri
and New Year holidays, which come in the same week," she added.
"We will do our best to ensure security by increasing the
monitoring. However, we will not do that in a demonstrative way
as it might disturb our guests," Atik said. (23/lup)