TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Popular Reads
Top Results
No results found. Please check your search term and try again
Can't find what you're looking for?
View all search results
Popular Reads
Top Results
No results found. Please check your search term and try again
Can't find what you're looking for?
View all search resultsHotel association to launch online travel agent to compete with Airbnb
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
The Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) has said it will launch an online travel agent to help members compete with global hospitality marketplaces. (Shutterstock/File)
T
he Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) has said it will launch an online travel agent (OTA) that will be used by hotels and restaurants – both members and non-members – to compete with global hospitality marketplaces like Airbnb.
“We are constructing the platform. In fact, it is nearly completed. What’s left is just naming, of course we need an eye-catching name,” said PHRI deputy chairman Rainier Daulay in Jakarta on Wednesday as quoted by tempo.co.
Hotels and restaurants would pay less than what they pay for for foreign OTAs, said Rainer, adding that the members would also pay less commission to the PHRI.
Read also: Ministers plan talks on request to block AirbnbCurrently, the existing OTAs demand between 15 to 30 percent commission from hotels, while Airbnb charges only about 3 to 5 percent.
He said the PHRI’s OTA would facilitate its members in using existing technology to boost their businesses and cut promotion costs.
He cited as an example how online technology had helped emerging tourist destinations like Raja Ampat in Papua to become well-known by both Indonesian and foreign tourists.
If the hospitality business failed to use technology, it would be unable to complete with those who did, Rainer added.
He said the operation of Airbnb in the country had seriously affected the conventional hospitality business, particularly three-star hotels because with the same service Airbnb could offer much lower prices. (bbn)
