H

otels in Jakarta are heading into their lowest season of the year as business activities have begun to wind down ahead of the Idul Fitri holidays next week.

Santika Premier Hotel Jakarta sales manager Hendras Natanegara said that most Jakarta hotels had expected occupancy rates to drop this month, especially in the weeks immediately before and after Idul Fitri.

On a normal day, the occupancy rate at the hotel is about 90 percent and 80 percent.

Government offices as well as private businesses including financial institutions and industrial companies will be closed for almost a week beginning Monday. Most will reopen the following Monday.

In previous years, many wealthy families in Jakarta chose to stay in hotels during Idul Fitri because their maids went home to celebrate the holiday with their families.

“This year, most of the families who are not celebrating Idul Fitri choose to leave the capital to resort cities like Bogor or Bandung,” he added.

“Average occupancy rates for most hotels in the city drop to 55 percent this month.”

Ibis Network Indonesia PR & E-commerce Communications manager Chrisna Rianti confirmed a drop in occupancy rates at Ibis hotels in Jakarta during this holiday season as business activities had started to slow down.

“Ibis Hotels are designed for businesspeople and not for families. The Christmas holiday season and the Idul Fitri holiday, as well as the week after it, are the lowest seasons for us during the year,” Chrisna said, declining to disclose the details.

Alila Hotel Jakarta Public Relations manager Heni Juniarti said that she expected a slide in occupancy rates, particularly next week.

“On Aug. 30–31 our reservation rates slide to 30 percent, whereas throughout this month our occupancy rate has remained at 80 percent, thanks to busy business activities during the fasting month,” Heni told the Post.

Most customers who would be staying at Alila Hotel next week were families and foreign guests, she continued.

However, Hendras was confident that Santika hotel’s occupancy rate could reach 45 percent to 55 percent from the day before until four days after the Idul Fitri holidays.

Hendras said that his hotel had received reservations for next week from Jakartan families whose maids had left for the Idul Fitri holidays.

“Some families without domestic help have booked our rooms for next week so they can still enjoy their holidays without being overwhelmed by household chores,” Hendras said.

Santika, Ibis and Alila hotels also offer special prices and packages during this season to attract guests.

Heni estimated the occupancy rates of hotels in Jakarta would start to pick up from a week to two weeks after the Idul Fitri holidays. (swd)