“Hopefully, the Sunda Strait tsunami, especially in Anyer and Tanjung Lesung, made the government pay attention,” said Erlan Effendy, who owns a hotel in Pelabuhan Ratu, Sukabumi, West Java, on Wednesday as quoted by tempo.co.

He said the tsunami had affected tourist arrivals to the destination. Rumors have circulated claiming that people had canceled their hotel bookings.

“Some are worried and have canceled [their bookings], but the number is not high,” said Erlan.

Tsunami detection equipment is important, said Erlan, adding that hotels had not made extensive preparations for the threat of a tsunami along West Java’s southern coast, arguing that, "signs for evacuation paths have been installed in many spots in Pelabuhan Ratu".

Read also: Tsunami-hit Tanjung Lesung Resort plans to reopen doors to guests on Jan. 1

Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) chairman for West Java, Herman Muchtar, said the province had seen an increase in the number of guests this month, with many visitors attending meetings or seminars held by government institutions, as well as holidaymakers.

“Since last Saturday night, hotel occupancy has increased in Bandung and West Java, especially at tourist destinations such as Pangandaran, Kuningan, Lembang and Subang,” said Herman on Wednesday.

Despite the recent tsunami, Herman said he was optimistic that tourists would flock to hotels and tourist sites for New Year’s Eve, “especially in spots like Pangandaran Beach, Pelabuhan Ratu, Puncak and Lembang.”

Herman said the number of domestic tourists to West Java this year had reached 65 million, while less than 750,000 foreign tourists had visited the province this year. (kes)