The recent visit of Pope Francis, the leader of the global Catholic Church, brought a significant boost to Jakarta’s hospitality industry. Hotels around the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) stadium, the venue for the Grand Mass, saw their rooms quickly booked, showing just how much this historic event resonated not only with the faithful but also with the broader tourism sector.
According to Sutrisno Iwantono, the Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), such major events often trigger a significant spike in hotel occupancy rates throughout Jakarta.
He explained, “Typically, hotel occupancy during such events increases by about 20 to 25 percent compared to regular days. Of course, some hotels see more, while others experience less depending on their location.” He shared these remarks during the virtual program The Weekly Brief with Sandi Uno on Monday, September 9, 2024.
The influx of visitors was primarily concentrated around the GBK area, where the Grand Mass took place. Hotels in close proximity were fully booked, many by foreign visitors and church groups eager to attend this significant religious occasion. However, the impact wasn’t solely felt around the stadium. As Sutrisno noted, the economic benefits extended to other parts of Jakarta, with several hotels across the city reporting a rise in bookings.
For the hospitality industry, this visit highlighted the importance of distributing tourist activity more evenly across the capital. Sutrisno hopes that in the future, events of this magnitude will encourage visitors to explore other parts of Jakarta as well, beyond just the central areas around GBK.
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“We need to ensure better distribution so that smaller hotel operators, particularly those in areas like South, North, and West Jakarta, can benefit too. It shouldn’t only be the four- and five-star hotels that see increased occupancy,” he emphasized. Smaller hotels, especially those located away from major venues, have often missed out on the significant business generated by such large-scale events.
Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia marked an important moment in the country’s relationship with the Vatican, a relationship that has been growing stronger in recent years. His arrival on September 3, 2024, was met with immense excitement from the local Catholic community, as well as from leaders of other religious groups who saw this visit as a symbol of unity and peace.
As the spokesperson for the committee overseeing the visit, Father Thomas Ulun Ismoyo, explained, “This visit reflects the deep and enduring relationship between Indonesia and the Vatican. It is a visit of friendship and a message of diversity that we hope will spread across the globe.”
The Pope’s schedule was packed with visits to some of Jakarta’s most iconic landmarks. His journey began at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport before heading to Merdeka Palace, where he met with President Joko Widodo.
Afterward, Pope Francis visited the Vatican Embassy and St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, one of the oldest and most significant churches in the country. He also made an appearance at Graha Pemuda, an important youth center.
In a gesture of religious harmony, the Pope also visited Masjid Istiqlal, Indonesia’s largest mosque, which stands just across from the Cathedral. This act of interfaith dialogue was highly symbolic, reinforcing the country’s commitment to fostering unity among its diverse religious communities.
Other stops on his itinerary included a visit to the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference and finally, the grand event at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, where tens of thousands of worshippers gathered for the Papal Mass.
This apostolic visit left a lasting impact, not only spiritually but economically as well. The hotel industry in Jakarta saw a boom, and local businesses around these key locations reaped the benefits. The hope now is that this momentum can continue, encouraging more international events of a similar scale that will bring even more economic gains to various sectors across the capital.
In conclusion, the arrival of Pope Francis to Jakarta was not just a religious milestone but a moment of collective benefit for the entire city. As the capital prepares for future international gatherings, ensuring an even spread of tourist activity remains a key goal, so that businesses in every corner of Jakarta can thrive.
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