22 July 2009

Governor of Jakarta Special Capital Region (DKI Jakarta) Fauzi Bowo said “For a moment after JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels bombings on Friday, activities in Jakarta stopped, but it was not for long. We will not allow terrorists to dictate our lives and hold Jakarta hostage.”

Signs showing recovery start to appear, including the Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) on Friday that once decreased by 1.22% during the first session of the trading but in the second session it improved. Governor of DKI Jakarta Fauzi Bowo stated that the “IHSG increase is a concrete indication and it send a strong message that the market is still optimistic. This is a good indicator that Jakarta is back to normal.”

Governor Fauzi Bowo also announced that there has been no exodus of foreign citizens from the city and any other cities in Indonesia. “There are no significant changes in terms of arrivals and departures at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The numbers of passengers arriving and departing are equal.”

Data collected by the Office of Tourism and Culture of the Jakarta shows that four and five-star hotel occupancy rates not much changed after JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels bombings. Data collected from five-star hotels shows as of 19 July 2009 occupancy rate reaches 50.3% and as of 20 July 2009, it decreased slightly to 49.4%.

Office of Tourism and Culture of the Jakarta Province announces number of people visiting various shopping malls in conjunction with ”Jakarta Great Sale”, for example Grand Indonesia visitors, decreased by 50% when the bombings took place (17 July 2009). The situation does not last that long, the next day (18 July 2009), number of visitors increased to 80%. Number of visitors increased dramatically up to 90% on Sunday and Monday (19-20 July 2009).

Governor Fauzi Bowo said that he does not see any indications of any long-term impacts on the economy. He asserted, “There is a possibility that there will be turbulence in the tourism sector, but it is only temporary.”

At the Jakarta Media Crisis Center, yesterday (21 July 2009) Governor Fauzi Bowo said President of United States Barrack Obama will still come to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Singapore and will visit Indonesia.