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Long weekend, improved security boost hotel occupancy rate
Hotels in Bali enjoyed a high occupancy rate over the Independence Day long weekend, with many attributing the surge to the return of security combined with the national holiday
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otels in Bali enjoyed a high occupancy rate over the Independence Day long weekend, with many attributing the surge to the return of security combined with the national holiday.
Many star-rated hotels in Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua reported Friday they would have an occupancy rate of more than 90 percent during the weekend, lasting until between Aug. 18 and 20.
Lucia Dwi Cahyani or Ani, assistant marketing communications manager of the Hard Rock Hotel in Kuta, said her hotel's occupancy rate was well above 90 percent until Monday, higher than the average occupancy rate of 75 percent on normal days.
She said the increased number of guests was common on national holidays or long weekends, such as the weekend coinciding with the Independence Day, and added it was also a sign that things were getting back to normal.
"We noticed, at the beginning of this year, that the occupancy rate in our hotel had risen back to pre-Bali bombing numbers," she told The Jakarta Post.
"It's reassuring to see the tendency continue this month."
Bali was struck by a devastating bomb attack in 2002, killing 202 people in the tourist district of Kuta, and another in 2005, killing 20 people and injuring 129 others at two sites in the Jimbaran and Kuta areas.
The attacks left the island's hotel industry all but paralyzed.
The island, and the nation, have not experienced any fatal attacks since, mostly due to the success of law enforcement agencies in foiling terrorist attempts, such as the recent arrest of 10 alleged terrorists who were captured with more than 20 partly and fully assembled bombs in Palembang, South Sumatra.
Dewi Shintawati, public relations manager of Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel and Villas, said the perceived safety brought not only more tourists but also international festivals and business symposiums.
She said her hotel was fully booked until Monday, attributing the surge to both the long weekend and the numerous events the hotel was holding.
"There is currently an international symposium here so all the meeting rooms will be occupied," she said Friday.
Dewi said hotels in Bali would be well covered during the months leading up to the new year celebrations as the island province would see a plethora of festivals
The festivals include the ongoing sidewalk festival in Legian, whose features include a thrift sale of a number of items from around the country, and Bali Fashion Week, which runs from Aug. 24 until Aug. 28.
Bali Hyatt Hotel public relations manager, Meutia Mahardhika, agreed. She said she expected the trend to continue for the holidays in September (Islamic fasting month of Ramadan), late December (Christmas) and early January (New Year).
Meutia, who said her hotel would enjoy an occupancy rate between 90 percent and 100 percent until Wednesday, urged tourists planning to stay in Bali to book accommodation far in advance to avoid missing out on a room.
The occupancy rate of star-rated hotels throughout Bali continues to rise each year. It had risen to 61.96 percent by May this year, an increase from 57.70 percent in the same month last year, and 41.02 percent in May, 2006, according to data from the Central Statistics Agency.
