Although we have this (full hotel occupancy) problem, we also already have a solution.
W Manggarai, NTT (ANTARA) - The Tourism and Creative Economy Office of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province is preparing some vessels to provide additional accommodation for both delegates and tourists during the 42nd ASEAN Summit.

Head of the office Sony Libing said that his party plans to deploy a ship belonging to state-run ferry operator PT Pelni, an Indonesian Navy vessel, and a pinisi ship – a traditional Indonesian sailing vessel originating from South Sulawesi – to provide additional accommodation during the event.

"The visitors can stay on the ship. Tomorrow (on May 5, 2023), (PT Pelni’s) Motor Vessel (MV) Sinabung will arrive, and it will provide beds for delegates, if the hotels are full," he told ANTARA here on Thursday.

The summit will be held in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai district, NTT province, from May 9 to 11, 2023.

MV Sinabung would be able to accommodate more than a thousand guests, Libing informed.

The NTT branch of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) recorded that 100 percent of hotel rooms in Labuan Bajo have been reserved for the summit period.

Still, tourists who want to visit the area during the international event will have alternative options, such as homestays or pinisi ships.

"Although we have this (full hotel occupancy) problem, we also already have a solution,” Libing said.

The Directorate General of Sea Transportation of the Transportation Ministry has asked PT Pelni to deploy MV Sinabung as a floating hotel to support the smooth implementation of the ASEAN Summit.

Director general of sea transportation at the ministry, Arif Toha, said that MV Sinabung is planned to berth on the Labuan Bajo Waterfront Pier from May 7 to 12.

The ship has been prioritized to serve foreign media journalists who will be covering the summit, but have not been able to book any accommodation in Labuan Bajo, he added.

His party will continue to ensure shipping safety, security, and convenience as well as the availability of port facilities to serve guests.

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Translator: Maria Prayudhia, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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