Luhut: Most Visitors To Borobudur Temple And That's A Problem

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister (Menko) for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan revealed that the main problem currently facing Borobudur Temple is the huge pressure on the temple structure due to excess tourist visits.

Visitors to Borobudur Temple in 2019 were recorded to have reached more than 3.3 million people or the equivalent of 8,000 people per day. In fact, based on the results of a study by the Borobudur Conservation Center, it shows that ideally the peak area of Borobudur Temple is only able to accommodate a maximum of 128 visitors per one visit per day.

"Therefore, quality tourism will be implemented in Borobudur, by making the 1979 Master Plan a reference for the latest Tourism Master Plan," said Coordinating Minister Luhut during his working visit to the Borobudur Super Priority Tourism Destination (DPSP), Friday, March 12.

During the visit Coordinating Minister Luhut was accompanied by Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem A Makarim, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga S Uno and Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Angela Tanoesoedibjo, Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo, Regent of Magelang Zaenal Arifin, Director General of Cipta Karya, Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) ) Diana Kusumastuti, and Director General of Highways of the Ministry of PUPR Hedy Rahadian.

Together with the coordinating minister's group, Luhut visited the development points consisting of Borobudur Art Village, Kembanglimus Community Center, Palbapang Gate, Pawon Temple Area, Borobudur Temple Concourse, and Authority Land.

The Coordinating Ministry for Marves also invited the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of PUPR, Kemenparekraf, and the Ministry of BUMN to jointly follow up on increasing the potential for quality tourism at DPSP Borobudur through the Borobudur-Yogyakarta-Prambanan Integrated Tourism Master Plan.

"Based on the previous coordination meeting, the issues and follow-ups of concern are accessibility and connectivity, amenities, attractions, and supporting facilities that can increase the value of tourism in Borobudur," added Coordinating Minister Luhut in a written statement in Jakarta, Saturday, March 13.

Coordinating Minister Luhut explained that accessibility and connectivity include roads, transportation access, as well as internet and telecommunications networks. Meanwhile, the arrangement of the temple area and the homestay area along with electricity are aspects of amenities that will be the focus of improving the quality of tourism at Borobudur Temple.

He added that there will be an increase in tour packages and events that will attract attractions. "To increase the value of tourism quality, we also need to prepare the community by providing training in the tourism sector, so that we can also open new jobs," said Coordinating Minister Luhut.

Coordinating Minister Luhut also asked universities around the Borobudur Temple area to be involved in conducting studies related to the temple, so that a sense of responsibility arises to care for and preserve it for future generations.

"All have agreed, to work together to prepare the construction of the Borobudur Temple area and will also prepare funds every year, so that Borobudur Temple can become an international standard cultural heritage conservation laboratory," concluded Coordinating Minister Luhut.