TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - To celebrate its 272nd birthday, the city of Solo will be offering shopping tourism throughout February in Solo Great Sale.

Solo Great Sale organizing committee chairman Haryanto said that some 1,700 tenants will join the program. “They will offer up to 80 percent discounts,” he said during the launch of Solo Great Sale in Ngarsopuro on Sunday, January 29, 2017.

He expects that Solo Great Sale will get tourists to spend their money. “It includes culinary tourism,” he said. Some restaurants and cafes will also give discounts and special programs in February.

Moreover, the organizer also prepares some prizes. “The prizes are homes, cars, motorcycles and electronic devices,” he said. A draw will be made at the end of February. Customers will get a Solo Great Sale card by spending a minimum of Rp50,000 (US$3.75) and its multiple values. Customers must show the card when shopping in tenants participating in Solo Great Sale.

Haryanto said that the organizer has distributed 30,000 cards to tenants. He expects to see transactions worth Rp200 billion. “It hit Rp161 billion last year,” he said.

Chairman of Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Solo chapter Abdullah Suwarno is hopeful that the program will increase hotel occupancy. “February hotel occupancy has always been low, it could stand at only 43 percent,” he said.

Therefore, hotels and restaurants will join the program that boasts attractive discounts. “Moreover, the government will give 30 percent tax cut for hotels joining the program,” he said.

AHMAD RAFIQ