September 18, 2025 | 02:29 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The city of Bandung has recorded the highest hotel occupancy rate in West Java, averaging 50 percent, according to the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI).
“Bandung’s occupancy is higher because there are many activities taking place,” said Dodi Ahmad Sofiandi, Chairman of the West Java PHRI Regional Board, in a press release from the Bandung City Department of Communication and Informatics on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Dodi explained that the strongest performance comes from 4- and 5-star hotels in the city center, where occupancy reaches 60-65 percent. In contrast, hotels on the outskirts record only 30-40 percent. Across West Java, the average stands at 41 percent.
However, he noted that revenue has yet to recover fully. “Occupancy has not dropped significantly, but revenue has decreased. MICE has not been fully optimized, though 2- and 3-star hotels have started to operate again thanks to city government support,” he said.
The Bandung City Tourism Promotion Agency is also stepping up efforts to attract visitors. Its chairman, Arief Bonafianto, said PHRI and business owners regularly back city events.
“We often provide special discounts for event participants to make them more attractive. This is a small step that helps boost the economy, but we still hope for stronger policy support from the government,” Arief said.
He added that hotel and restaurant operators are calling for regulatory relaxations and increased tourism budgets. “Big events clearly draw tourists, but without sufficient budget support, promotion efforts cannot be maximized,” he said.
Mayor of Bandung Muhammad Farhan emphasized the need for a clear vision for the city’s tourism development. He designated Bandung as a destination specializing in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).
“Bandung must have a mission statement. I declare Bandung as a MICE tourism hub, because when MICE succeeds, all sectors benefit, hotels, transport, food and beverage, and event organizers,” Farhan said.
Farhan added that MICE can strengthen opportunities for services, SMEs, and the creative industry, while preserving Bandung’s identity as a center of modest fashion and community-driven creativity.
“Muslim fashion was born in Bandung, and Wardah cosmetics is also from here. Bandung is a home for modest fashion and middle-class beauty products,” he said.
The mayor also stressed the need to improve culinary tourism and cultural attractions. “Street vendors must be developed to meet higher standards, and street food must be sustainable. If the quality is maintained, tourists will feel more at home in Bandung,” he added.
According to Farhan, tourism surged in the second quarter of 2025 after post-Eid events. “Every event attracts thousands of tourists. About 70 percent come from outside Bandung, and 40 percent of them stay overnight. That generates significant economic turnover,” he said.
Yet, Farhan pointed out challenges, particularly the closure of international flights at Husein Sastranegara Airport.
“Every year we lose 800,000 foreign tourists because Husein no longer accepts international flights. That’s a massive opportunity cost. I will continue to fight for Husein to be reopened,” he said, underlining accessibility as the key.
“Tourists prefer an airport close to the city center. Traveling to Kertajati takes more time and money. That is why Husein holds strategic value."
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