Support Tourism, Erick Thohir Sulap Gedung Tua Jiwasraya In Kota Lama Semarang Jadi Hotel Bintang 4

Photo: Doc. Ministry of SOEs

JAKARTA Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir provides support for the initiation of PT Aviasi Wisata Indonesia or InJourney (tourism and supporting BUMN holding) to convert one of the old buildings in Kota Lama, Semarang into a four-star hotel.

According to him, the initiation has the opportunity to boost the values of tourism in the cultural heritage area. This was conveyed directly when visiting Kota Lama this weekend.

"This effort is expected to continue to encourage local tourism through the use of high historically valuable assets," he said in a written statement quoted on Sunday, January 22.

According to Erick, the transfer of the property facility function also has an economic impact. Not only comes from leisure activities, but the optimization of state property is of increasing value.

"We continue to carry out the BUMN asset development program, one of which is in the Old City of Semarang. Here we destroy ancient architecture buildings into four-star hotels," he said.

Meanwhile, the building in question is an asset belonging to the Jiwasraya government company. The building was built in 1916 by architect Herman Thomas Karsten by carrying the Indisch Style style according to the tropical characteristics of Indonesia.

At the beginning of its operation, this property was used by a Dutch insurance company called Nederlandsche Indische Levenverzerish en Lijvrente Maatschappij (NILLMIJ). During the independence era, NILLMIJ was then nationalized and changed to Jiwasraya.

Erick was amazed by the design of the building and also the environment in the Old City of Semarang which seemed to represent the condition of developed European countries in the early 20th century.

"Like not in Indonesia," he said.

On the same occasion, InJourney President Director Donypertonia explained that this strategy step further strengthens the Old City of Semarang as one of the centers of integrated tourism attractions in Central Java. Dony noted that there are at least 37 buildings that are assets belonging to BUMN.

"The Old City of Semarang has extraordinary uniqueness in terms of culture and the rich form of building design with European-style historical and architectural values," he said.

To note, the government estimates that there are 7.4 million foreign tourist movements and 1.4 billion domestic tourist movements throughout 2023 that have high economic potential.