MICE tourism to boost hotel occupancy rates in Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta (Antaranews Jogja) - Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism that deals with MICE tours is believed to boost the hotel occupancy rates in the Yogyakarta Special Region.

Yogyakarta branch of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association Chairman Istijab M. Danunagoro expressed optimism here on Tuesday that MICE would boost the local tourism.

"We are optimistic that starting August 2018, MICE would increase the occupancy rates of hotels in Yogyakarta," Danunagoro remarked here on Tuesday.

He affirmed that MICE activities had been the mainstay of hospitality in the special region of Yogyakarta that were mostly conducted by various government agencies or ministries, as well as the private sector.

According to Danunagoro, the average occupancy rate currently still reaches 40 percent, or decreased as compared to the "peak season" during the 2018 Lebaran holidays and could reach 100 percent.

"However, we believe MICE is able to help increase the occupancy rate, which is still low at present," he emphasized.

In the meantime, Yogyakarta Tentrem Hotel Public Relations Chief Venta Pramusanti remarked that the average occupancy of Hotel Tentrem is still in the range of 45-60 percent.

He believes that the government or private agencies are currently not conducting MICE activities, but many are estimated to emerge in the weeks ahead.

Meanwhile, Udhi Sudhiyanto, chairman of the Indonesian Association of Tour and Travel Agents of the Yogyakarta branch, noted that the booking of tour packages by foreign tourists will increase during the summer vacation period in Europe.

According to Sudhiyanto, European tourist visits to Yogyakarta will continue to experience a spike from late June to August 2018.

Since foreign travelers stay for an average of up to three to four days, their tourism itinerary also covers more activities than domestic tourists.

"Currently, travel bookings for foreign tourists have increased by 20 percent as compared to last month," he pointed out.