Trans Java Toll Road Raises Hotel Occupancy in Solo

TEMPO.CO, Solo - Several businesses assessed newly-built toll roads including Trans Java toll road positively affected the hotel occupancy this year. They deemed the number of guests nearing the end of the first semester was quite satisfying.

The spokesman of Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Solo, Sistho A Sreshtho, said that the hotel occupancy since earlier 2019 was pretty good. “Even though early of the year is usually considered the low season,” said Sistho on Monday, June 24.

As of the first semester of 2019, the hotel occupancy rate in Solo, Central Java reached 60 percent on average, while throughout the last year, the rate only recorded at 59 percent.

Sistho assumed the high hotel occupancy rate was supported by the infrastructure facilities, such as toll roads, considering many guests came using private vehicles. “Not affected by soaring flight tickets,” he added.

Moreover, the high rate was also attributable to Eid homecoming or Lebaran season. According to him, almost all the hotels in the region were occupied. “This is the most packed since the past four years,” Sistho said.

He expected the hotel occupancy rate in this year’s second semester would be escalated because of an increase in government spending and many holidays, viz. Christmas and New Year.

At present, his side planned to further promote East Java tourism, especially in Surabaya. “Solo-Surabaya trip can now be reached within 2.5 hours via a toll road,” he noted, hoping East Java could be the new market for hotel business in Solo City.

The Public Relations Manager of Sahid Jaya Hotel Solo, Septiarona Sylviarineta, also admitted the high hotel occupancy rate since early this year. Even her hotel’s occupancy reached 100 percent during Lebaran season. “It’s still fully packed up to date,” she added.

AHMAD RAFIQ (Contributor)