Batu, en.SERU.co.id – The holy month of Ramadan is still several weeks away, but the tourism industry in Batu City is already gearing up to welcome the occasion. Several hotels and restaurants in Batu are ramping up promotions for iftar (breaking the fast) packages, featuring special early bird pricing schemes.
H. Sujud Hariadi SE, Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) in Batu City, stated that this trend of early bookings is deliberately encouraged by hotel and restaurant businesses in the area.
The goal is to attract tourists and local residents who wish to plan gatherings with family, colleagues, or business associates well in advance.
“The culinary business competition during Ramadan in Batu City is highly competitive. Therefore, the early bird scheme has become a key strategy to secure restaurant occupancy,” said Sujud, as he is commonly known.
Sujud explained that with early bird pricing, customers can enjoy discounts ranging from 10% to 20%, provided they make reservations before the first week of Ramadan.
This year, PHRI Batu members are offering various concepts, from traditional Nusantara dishes to Middle Eastern cuisine and international buffets.
Some venues are leveraging rooftops and open areas to allow guests to enjoy the cool air and scenic views of Batu City while savoring their iftar meals.
“At our place (Hotel Selecta), the theme is ‘Iftar Taste of Nusantara’ with an all-you-can-eat concept, located in Melati Hall. The normal price is Rp70,000 per person, with an early bird rate of Rp65,000 nett per person. The early bird booking period is from February 1 to 15, and there’s an additional promo: buy 10, get 1 free,” explained the Director of PT. Selecta.
While focusing on dining concepts, PHRI members are also encouraged to provide adequate prayer spaces for guests. In addition, spacious parking areas should be available to accommodate large groups.
Sujud is optimistic that iftar services this year will see an uptick, as Batu City remains a favorite destination for business meetings combined with iftar gatherings.
“We urge all members to prioritize service quality and hygiene standards. Ramadan is not just about communal meals, but also about comfort in worship and togetherness,” he added.
Furthermore, Sujud noted that iftar promotions are often paired with hotel stay discounts, with room rate reductions varying from 20% to 50%. According to him, this is a common practice during the fasting month.
“During the fasting month, tourist visits typically drop significantly, which affects hotel occupancy rates. One way to maintain those numbers is by offering substantial discounts,” he concluded. (dik/ono)
