Major Hotel Network to Invest More in 2015

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian tourism has become a promising industry as more investors have been keen on investing their money in Indonesia. Until March 2014, the investment value in Indonesian tourism, including foreign investment and domestic investment, has reached US$130.13 million.

Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Pangestu said the figure had increased by 256.43 percent from last year's, which was at US$36,51 million.

"Indonesian tourism has become attractive for international investors because of the growing number of foreign and domestic tourists," Mari said.

The capacity of tourism facilities, such as hotels, has grown rapidly and spread evenly. A number of companies, have been aggressive in their hotels in cities. Three domestic hotel operators (Santika Hotel Group, Tauzia Hotel and Dafam Hotel) are planning to add 140 hotel networks by 2015. Foreign hotel operators, like Carlson Rezidor and its partner PT Panorama Group, is planning to expand its hotel business by adding 20 new hotels within five to seven years ahead.

Foreign operators, which are partnering with domestic investors, are also expanding, including Aston with 76 hotels that are planning to add 150 more within three to five years ahead. Accor Group, which has been operating 70 hotels in 24 cities in Indonesia for the last 20 years, will expand to 100 hotels or 20,000 rooms by 2015.

EVIETA FADJAR