In order to survive the pandemic, many hotels in Ubud, Bali have been offering up big discounts for rooms with some as low as $10.50 a night and $0.35 meals.
The Head of Ubud Homestay Association (UHSA), Ida Bagus Wiryawan said that there has been no tourists in the Ubud area, especially the tourists who usually stay in homestays. The situation has made some of the accommodation businesses change their strategy.
“We’re targeting long stay guests, for monthly or even annual rent with a 50% discount than the normal rate” Wiryawan said.
In one accomodation called the Pillow Inn Ubud, Owner, Kadek Rijasa Wiradana is now relying on domestic tourist especially on the weekends and holiday seasons.
“Our normal rate used to be USD $42 a night, but now it’s only USD $21 including breakfast. And most of our guests are from Java” Rijasa said.
With the current condition, he only employs 50 percent of his usual workers.
At Yoga Amertham Retreat & Resort, they have started a rather unique strategy to try and survive financially.
Owner, Kadek Rudiantara is now focusing on the local market such as his neighbors and his fellow Balinese.
“Before we charged USD $17.6 a night, now we are offering rooms for USD $10.50 (IDR 150,000) a night. The meals start from 35 cents (IDR 5,000) per portion and for swimming in our pool we only charge USD $1.40 (IDR 20,000) per person” Rudiantara said.
He explained that people need to be more creative to survive these tough economic times while waiting for the international travelers to return.
From The Bali Sun
