BANYUWANGI - Before Gandrung Sewu Festival, Saturday, 20 October, thousands of tourists come to Banyuwangi so hotel occupancy soars. Most hotels in Banyuwangi have run out of rooms.
General Manager of Hotel El Royale Agus Setiawan said, The room occupancy rate at the four-star hotel he manages for this week has indeed experienced a sharp increase. From 161 existing room, only left 3 like.
“This increase has been happening since last Monday (15/10) until Sunday (21/10). Our occupancy weekdays 60 percent, this week 95 percent, even this friday already 100 percent,said Agus.
Increasing the number of room occupancy in the hotel, continued Agus, one of them is filled with tourists who will watch the Gandrung Sewu Festival. They usually start entering since Thursday (18/10) and Friday (19/10), then will come out on Sunday (21/10).
"Every time there is a festival in Banyuwangi, it will have an impact on our hotel occupancy". On average, tourists also rent vehicles while in Banyuwangi from local transportation service business actors," he said.
A sharp increase in the occupancy rate also occurred in all five-star hotels in Banyuwangi, start Dialog Hotel, Illira, Aston, Santika, Beautiful Ketapang, to those with resort and villa concepts like Solong Villa.
Hotel manager Ketapang Indah Banyuwangi, Hawa Suciati says, on this weekend to be exact from Friday-Saturday (19-20/10) , The occupancy of the hotel which is located on the beach reaches more than 90 percent.
"Our customers are tourists who vacation in Banyuwangi, both domestically and abroad. They came here on purpose to travel and watch the Gandrung Sewu Festival tomorrow,' said Cici.
Head of MY . Culture and Tourism Office. Bramuda says, His party is happy because the festival held by the local government has a positive impact on the economy, including hotels.
"Many domino effects", start hotel, drivers hired by tourists, shops, gift center, etc. The presence of thousands of tourists at the Gandrung Sewu Festival is an economic blessing for Banyuwangi residents," he said.
