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Iftar ban for govt employees deals blow to hotel industry
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Nasdem Party leader Surya Paloh (third left), former vice president Jusuf Kalla (third right), Golkar Party leader Airlangga Hartarto (second right), Democratic Party leader Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (left), PKS secretary-general Aboe Bakar Alhabsyi (right ) and potential presidential candidate Anies Baswedan (second left) attend an iftar event at Nasdem Tower in Gondangdia, Jakarta, on March 25, 2023. (Antara/Indrianto Eko Suwarso)
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otels and restaurants are up in arms over the recently imposed ban on iftar gatherings for government workers, arguing that the sunset events are one of the sure-fire sources of income during the fasting month, when the industry normally struggles with low occupancy levels.
Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) secretary-general Maulana ‘Alan’ Yusran said income from iftar feasts was "not big" but nevertheless of great importance to keep operations going during Ramadan, given that activity ebbed during the fasting month and hotels could not bank on high occupancy.
“Ramadan is always very tough for us, because anything we try [to attract customers] does not translate to conversion, as there is generally less activity during Ramadan, both from the government and the private sector, and things only start to pick up again on the second day of Idul Fitri,” Alan told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Alan said iftar ban dealt a heavy blow to the industry.
Two days before the start of Ramadan, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo issued a circular barring government employees from holding iftar gatherings, saying the move was necessary as the country had yet to transition from the coronavirus pandemic to the endemic stage.
The country's last remaining COVID-19 restrictions had been lifted in January.
