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)