REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA -- Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Yogyakarta stated that visa-free for foreign tourists had not given significant impact on increasing number of hotel occupancy.

"Besides we're still in low season, visa-free given to a number of countries has not yet affected the occupancy," said Chairman of PHRI of Yogyakarta, Istijab M Danunagoro, in Yogyakarta, Tuesday (6/10).

He said that since the beginning of August 2015, occupancy rate of star and non-star hotel was relatively stable with an average of 40 to 50 percent. According to Istijab, the visa-free for 45 countries still requires socialization process in each country that can not be directly felt.

"It also depends on initiative of the government and tourism players to improve promotion," he added.

He said most dominant impact felt by hotels in Yogyakarta, was the re-opening allowance for government to hold meeting in hotel. It was because meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions that were often held by government agencies could boost occupancy.

Head of Marketing Department of Tourism of Yogyakarta, Imam Patandi, said that to support increase in tourist arrivals in Yogyakarta, special promotion would be given priority in any visits to other countries in Asia and Europe.

"Promotions will be done also when there are foreign government visits to Yogyakarta," he said.

Department of Tourism of Yogyakarta has targeted a number of foreign tourists visits in 2015 to increase by 10 percent compared to 2014, which had reached 254,213 people. Until now, the average of foreign tourists who did direct flights to Yogyakarta were only 3.33 percent. The rest were tourists who had previously visited Bali and Jakarta.

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