"We have a limited number of hotels and accommodations in Morotai and therefore we will charter a number of big ships to serve as floating hotels for Sail Morotai 2012 participants and guests," Muhajir said.
He said the local committee of Sail Balitung 2011 did likewise to accommodate guests and participants of the international marine event last year.
According to Muhajir, the Sail Morotai local committee would also encourage local people to allow their houses be used as home-stay accommodations for the event`s participants and guests.
But he added the bedrooms and bathrooms of the houses that would be used as home-stay accommodations must be renovated first with funds from the regional and state budgets.
Meanwhile, chairman of the North Maluku branch of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) Christoper Harlin said the use of big ships and people`s houses to accommodate Sail Morotai guests and participants was an appropriate measure to overcome the shortage of lodging facilities in Morotai.
Christoper said he believed foreigners would prefer staying at local people`s houses rather than in hotels during Sail Morotai 2012 because they would like to enjoy the natural atmosphere and interaction with the house owners.(*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
