“Immediately after I joined the company it experienced a drastic change as I gradually opened properties in various areas. I opened resorts in Bali, Minahasa and other areas. I thank God that my efforts were successful and I am confident that my hotels and resorts are just as good as those of our competitors,” she said.

Hotels that the group owns are Hotel Prima Cirebon and Hotel Prima Indramayu, both in West Java, while the resorts include Resort Prima Sangkanhurip in Kuningan, West Java, Resort Prima Anyer in Pasuruan, East Java, Resort Prima Baturaden in Purwokerto, Central Java, Resort Prima Selabintana in Sukabumi, West Java, Resort Prima Candidasa in Karang Asem, Bali, and Minahasa Prima Dive Resort in Minahasa, North Sulawesi.

Long before becoming the company’s president director, the fair skinned Reni graduated from George Washington University in Washington DC, the United States, and then worked at the trade and industry section of the Indonesian Embassy in Washington. After returning to Indonesia her parents asked her to manage the Hotel Prima Group.   

She is different from other hoteliers here because she does not always focus on popular tourist areas but dares to concentrate on quieter locations with an aim to improve tourism in the related area. She is also aware that the presence of a hotel or a resort will attract visitors.

Reni does not consider tourism development the sole responsibility of the central or regional government but feels that the public and businesspeople should share the burden.

“If not us then who else would develop Indonesia’s tourism? Next to business interests we should also think about improving tourism in the country. I believe that business is not all about figures as there must be a human side to it,” explained Reni.

Each of the group’s resorts has unique characteristics. The six-hectare Resort Prima Sangkanhurip in Kuningan, for example, is built on the kampung concept and has old style houses set in the cool climes of Mount Ciremai.

“Resort Prima Sangkanhurip is very attractive because it takes guests back to yesteryear,” she said.

The resort offers a variety of facilities, such as outbound activities, fishing at a pond, parks and an entertainment stage. Resort Prima Sangkanhurip is said to be the most popular resort in Kuningan and former guests often recommend it to other people. It is the same case with Resort Prima Baturaden in Purwokerto.

Reni acknowledges that developing the company has not been easy and that it has been a long journey consisting of hard work and despair.

“That is not all because I always have to prepare the related business strategy. First I must make the employees aware that the company in a way also belongs to them, so if the company goes bankrupt then their lives will be affected, too,” said Reni, a mother of three.

Her second strategy is to provide regular training for employees, which is quite effective and means that she does not have to employ foreigners for certain positions.

“For example, my general managers and executive chefs are local people as I believe that local employees are just as good,” she said.

Her third strategy is to create a feeling of home in the properties so that every guest feels welcome and comfortable.

For customer satisfaction, Reni, who loves reading autobiographies, is fully committed to serving guests with the best service. Reni said many companies and customers often recommended her resorts to colleagues and friends.

Hotels, just like any other business, also often face hurdles, such as unclear regional regulations. Since decentralization, regulations that have an impact on hotels are often issued, such as the regulation forbidding the serving of alcoholic drinks.

Reni, who also graduated from Cornell Hospitality Management Training in the US, said that developing the business is not based solely on capital. Other important aspects are commitment, consistency, involvement and empathy toward local people, she said.

Reni says that as a businesswoman she has matured and her determination in business has become stronger. Initially she had failures, but she immediately started anew. Reni, who is the eldest of three children, got inspiration and business lessons from her family since childhood.

Before joining the business, her father often took her along when he was to meet colleagues and clients, which was a great lesson for her.

Reni loves various local and international food. She has always put into practice everything that she has studied. When she was studying in Switzerland and the US, she opened a small catering business.

Another hobby Reni enjoys is riding her Harley Davidson and every Sunday she tours around on it with friends. Initially her parents forbade her to ride a big motorbike.

“My parents did not allow me to ride because my father once had a bike accident. He was traumatized by it and forbade all his children from riding motorbikes. But we made him understand and it’s all right now,” said Reni, who is a member of the Harley Owners Group.

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