The Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association Chairperson, Yanti Sukamdani urged Parliament to start debates on the new Bill on Tourism, so that it can be enacted before the end of the year to boost the tourism industry. The Tourism Bill is an initiative from Parliament, which aims to revise Law no. 9 of 1990 on Tourism, which the tourism industry finds not specific enough and too general.  

According to the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association, PHRI, average occupancies of hotels in Indonesia needs improving, Today average occupancy of hotels in Bali as at October is 45%, in Jakarta this stands at 60%-65%, in Batam at 60% and in South Sulawesi between 60%-70%. 

Domestic investments in hotels this year until July 2006 was Rp. 180.2 billion for one project, while foreign investments were made in 21 projects to a total or US$76.7 million, or an increase of 5% compared to 2005. 

The Association is skeptical that the government’s target to achieve 5.5 million tourists in 2006 will be met, as August statistics already show a downward slide rather than an upward trend. In fact, earlier Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, commented that he would be happy if tourist arrivals could reach 5 million this year.