Tourists Flock Hotels, Villas in Puncak This Weekend

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurants Association (PHRI) of Cianjur recorded an increase in hotel room occupancy in West Java's Puncak-Cipanas and Cianjur areas this weekend at 70 percent. A number of accomodations even had to decline the guests due to the capacity restriction.

"Based on the report from members of PHRI Cianjur, the occupancy reached 50 percent, some even reached 70 percent," said chairman of PHRI Cianjur, Nano Indra Praja, on Saturday, Sept 4. He added that if the odd-even policy was not being implemented in the area, the hotels might be fully occupied.

Nano suspected that the surge was due to the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions (PPKM). Cianjur permitted destinations to open during the level 2 PPKM, which also increased the number of tourist visit.

"We're thankful that the economy is back on track, [tourist] visits are starting to show up," he said, even though he was agreed with the restrictions imposed by the government to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Marketing Communication Manager of Le Eminence Hotel, Muhamad Rizky Sutrisna, said that this week, the occupancy rate at the hotel reached 70 percent, or 260 rooms were occupied. If the odd-even policy in Puncak-Cianjur was being eliminated, the rate could be 100 percent but many bookings were cancelled, he added.

"About 100 bookings were cancelled due to the odd-even policy. But what's good is that some of the guests extended their stay here to avoid the odd-even policy," said Rizky.

A number of villa managements in Pacet- Cipanas also received a surge of bookings since the past two weeks. "Since Friday, of 23 villas that I manage, 15 have been booked. And today, all of them are booked," said Hilal, one of villa administrators in Pacet.

Read: Bogor to Apply Odd-Even Policy in Puncak Route This Weekend

Antara