Yogyakarta Hotel Occupancy Collapses to Just 5 Per Cent During Early Ramadan, PHRI Prepares Effective Strategies

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA - Hotel occupancy rates in the Special Region of Yogyakarta have plummeted at the beginning of Ramadan 1447 Hijri. The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta recorded that hotel occupancy was only in the range of 5 to 10 percent during the first week of the holy month.

“Occupancy has fallen dramatically. Our data shows it is only around 5 to 10 percent,” said Chairman of PHRI DIY, Deddy Pranowo Eryono, on Monday (23/2/2026).

Deddy said that the decline in hotel occupancy at the beginning of Ramadan is a recurring phenomenon each year. However, this year’s situation is considered more challenging due to the decline in people’s purchasing power and the lack of non-Muslim and foreign tourists.

“It’s worse because people’s purchasing power has decreased and there are not many non-Muslim tourists,” he said.

Overall, PHRI DIY recorded that 479 members, consisting of star-rated hotels, non-star-rated hotels, and restaurants, have been affected by the decline. To address this, a number of strategies are being promoted.

PHRI DIY encourages all its members to prepare a number of strategies and attractive programs during the holy month. Mitigation measures include offering room price promotions or adjusting rates according to the policies of each hotel management. In addition, business owners are also implementing operational efficiencies to reduce costs.

Deddy also urged the government to issue policies that can boost tourist visits in the lead-up to Eid al-Fitr. Discounts on public transport fares and plans to implement a work-from-anywhere (WFA) policy for civil servants and private sector employees are considered to be a stimulus for the hotel sector in Yogyakarta, as well as preparing for the surge in visitors during the Eid holiday season.