Paid Baggage Policy, Souvenir Sales Suffer 40 Percent Drop
Translator
Ricky Mohammad Nugraha
Editor
Petir Garda Bhwana
Kamis, 7 Februari 2019 12:13 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Padang tourism survey board announced that the new paid baggage policy adopted by air carriers caused a 40 percent drop in souvenir sales in Padang City, West Sumatra.
“Tourists would have to pay a premium that drove them to be more selective, or cut down their souvenir expenses,” said Medi Iswandi, Head of the Padang Tourism Agency today.
According to Medi, there has been a constant drop from 10 percent to 30 percent in souvenir sales in Padang compared to the same period last year.
Read also: Citilink Postpones Paid Baggage Policy as Ordered by Ministry
Medi revealed that similar circumstances are felt in the number of hotel stays that have dropped 30 percent compared to the same period last year. This drove four and three-star hotels offer discounts equal to low-ranked hotels.
He added that the effects are felt even more after carriers increased their air cargo rates.
West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno had reportedly sent a letter to a number of carriers regarding the paid baggage policy, which he deemed can potentially kill the operations of regional SMEs that depend on the sales of food souvenirs and souvenirs in general.
ANTARA
