Indonesia: Hotel occupancy rate strongly drops due to COVID-19
Indonesia’s hotel occupancy rate has dropped significantly since the outbreak of the acute respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in China in early January, according to the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI).
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia’s hotel occupancy rate hasdropped significantly since the outbreak of the acute respiratory diseasecaused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in China in early January, accordingto the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI).
PHRI Secretary General Maulana Yusran said the rate has fallen below the regular lowseason average of 50-60 percent to 30-40 percent.
Occupancy ratesat several hotels have dropped as low as 20 percent after Indonesiaconfirmed its first two cases on March 2. Bali, Jakarta, Manado in North Sulawesiand Batam and Bintan on Riau Islands are currently the worst-hit areas.
Since news ofCOVID-19 broke in January, Indonesia’s travel industry has been dealt a massiveblow, with mass cancellations of flight and hotel bookings.
Minister of Tourismand Creative Economy Wishnutama Kusubandio clarified on March 5 thatauthorities would continue to provide tax exemptions for hotels and restaurantsas planned, despite postponing incentives to attract foreign arrivals.
According to him,the Indonesian government is striving to stimulate domestic tourism in order toprevent layoffs in hotel and other industries./.
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Illustrative image (Photo: AFP) 
