Not Just Bali And Riau Islands, Jogja Needs Jokowi's Hands Because Tour Packages Are Still Sluggish

Panorama of Merapi from Abhayagiri Restaurant Sleman, DI Yogyakarta/Ferdinan VOI

YOGYAKARTA - The Association of Indonesian Travel Companies (Asita) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta said that the demand for tour packages from outside the region is still sluggish. Even though a number of tourist destinations have conducted limited operational trials.

The Chairperson of Asita DIY Hery Satyawan said that the number of tourists visiting Yogyakarta was not directly proportional to the level of booking for tour package services in the area.

"It seems that many people come to Malioboro, but most of them come individually without using the services of a travel agency," said Hery, quoted by Antara, Monday, October 11.

The number of tourist buses that enter the DIY area on weekends, according to him, does not necessarily indicate that the business of travel service companies in DIY has recovered.

"It could be from community groups renting their own buses," he said.

Hery admitted that before the pandemic, booking travel packages in DIY was dominated by foreign tourists. Meanwhile, bookings from domestic or domestic tourists mostly come from companies and government agencies.

According to him, the lack of orders from the company's employee groups is understandable because not a few of the company's economy has declined due to the impact of the pandemic.

"In the past, there were many (ordered tour packages) foreign guests. But nowadays there are still many companies who find it difficult to allocate funds for picnics because they are still recovering," said Hery.

To restore the travel agency's occupancy rate, Hery hopes that the DIY Regional Government can provide clarity on regulations as well as implementation in the field.

"Don't let us bring guests but we can't enter, so later we can complain to the guests," he said.

Even though hotel occupancy is starting to increase, according to him, it still hasn't contributed much to booking tour packages in Yogyakarta.

"In principle, we are always ready, including in the implementation of health protocols, especially since we haven't received orders for a long time," he said.

The chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) DIY, Deddy Pranawa Eryana, admitted that during PPKM level 3, the occupancy for three, four and five star hotels reached 80 percent on weekends and 40 percent on weekdays. Meanwhile, two-star hotels and below average 40 percent on weekends and 15-20 percent on weekdays.

However, the occupancy, said Deddy, is still largely driven by reservations for various exhibitions, seminars, or conventions (MICE) by a number of government agencies operating in DIY.

The limited opening of seven tourist destinations in DIY, according to him, has not contributed significantly to hotel occupancy because most tourists visiting DIY only do 'one day tours'.

"Business groups that are busy on weekends are mostly 'one day tours' without staying overnight, even though some are staying at hotels," he said.