Hotels in Padang seem to be Rebuilt Soon

Insurance premiums for the four hotels damaged by the earthquake in the City of Padang will be immediately reimbursed, it was said by Sofyan Wanandi, owner of PT Wahana Tata Insurance at a press conference at the Media Center of West Sumatra Earthquake office, Padang, Sunday (11/10). Other news mentioned of the 1500 hotel rooms in the city, around 1300 damaged and can not be used.

Minangkabau traditional dance performance

Sofyan said the four hotels mentioned include Hotel Ambacang, Hotel Maryani and Mall and entertainment Andalas Plaza shopping center. This disbursement is expected to revive back West Sumatra’s economy, particularly in the city of Padang, said Sofyan.

Panoramic view from a Bukittinggi hotel

He is also the Chairman of the Indonesian Entrepreneur  Association (Apindo), and said the entrepreneur with the government together shall restore the economy in post-earthquake. Apindo provide assistance for the home shop restoration in the area or region of Chinatown on Sub-District shopping center, west district Padang.

Data from Tourism and Culture office (Disparbud) of Padang mention, as many as 14 star-rated hotels in the city of Padang had been damaged by the earthquake that occurred Wednesday (30 / 9). Of the 14 star hotels, including 7 hotels among others Hotel Ambacang and Hotel Dipo would have to be torn down.

Thus with such a situation from the point of tourism accommodation in the city of Padang in particular the tourist business would have “dived” for two years until the hotels had been rebuilt. But tourism for West Sumatra as a destination, would remain alive and active and so will re-focus accommodation to the city of Bukittinggi. And Bukittinggi city has already posses its own ‘reputation’ in the tourist market.

The hotels in the hilly and cool Bukittinggi city has actually been used to accommodate group tourists, and presently are operating as usual. Bukittinggi indeed have a ” nice landscape” of interest to tourists. And the accommodation give sphere with the soothing sights as we took deep breath .==