This is proof that we are ready to hold international-class events
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno is encouraging more events to be held in Indonesia, especially in the tourism and creative economy sectors, to boost the occupancy of hotel rooms.

Uno told reporters here on Friday that fund allocation from the government will be able to return to the normal state in the 2024-2025 period after the funding was earlier reallocated for COVID-19 handling.

To this end, more events are expected to be held in Indonesia, including those organized by the government, which can contribute to the increase in hotel room occupancy.

"Around 10 percent of the total national events that are held by the government can boost the contribution of the tourism and creative economy sectors to our economy, including the hotel room occupancy rate," he explained.

According to the minister, the more the number of events being held in Indonesia, the better it would be for economic turnover, including hotel room occupancy.

"Speaking of data from the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), we are already at 50 percent (post-COVID-19-pandemic hotel occupancy). Star-rated hotels are getting closer to the (occupancy) figure before COVID-19, still 20 percent below the figure before COVID-19," he stated.

He cited an example that coincided with a jazz music festival being held at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, on June 2-4, 2023, hotels around the venue are about 90 percent booked or even fully booked.

Uno expressed optimism that Indonesia has the potential to hold international-class events. This has been proven by the successful implementation of events held under Indonesia's G20 presidency last year and ASEAN chairmanship this year.

"We are capable of being the host of G20 and ASEAN; music events too, especially later, there will be a big band that will perform here, like Coldplay. This is proof that we are ready to hold international-class events," he remarked.

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Translator: Suci Nurhaliza, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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