Ijen Crater Tour Is Temporarily Closed Starting Tomorrow

A sulfur miner at Ijen Banyuwangi Crater, East Java was carrying sulfur on the edge of the crater, Tuesday (2/1/2024). BETWEEN ANTARA/Novi Husdinariyanto

BANYUWANGI - Ijen Crater Nature Tourism Park (TWA) starting January 3, 2024 is temporarily closed for tourist visits in the context of an annual evaluation according to the Circular of the East Java Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA).

"It is true that the Ijen Crater TWA is temporarily closed for evaluation, and we have received a circular letter from BBKSDA," said Head of the Banyuwangi Regency Culture and Tourism Office Muhammad Yanuarto Bramuda, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, January 2.

Bramuda said that Ijen Crater Nature Tourism Park has not yet been set on a return date for visitors or tourists. This is waiting for the results of the evaluation and coordination meeting of BBKSDA which will be held in Surabaya on Wednesday (3/1) tomorrow.

The closure of one of the mainstay destinations in Banyuwangi is stated in Circular Number SE.01/K2/BIDTEK.1/KSA/01/2024, regarding the closure of the Ijen Crater TWA Area.

"The circular was signed by the Head of East Java BBKSDA Nur Patria Kurniawan, and issued today," he said.

Head of KSDA Region III Purwantono explained the closure of the Ijen Crater TWA in the context of evaluating natural tourist visits during 2023 and preparing for visit activities in 2024.

After issuing the closing letter, said Purwantono, BBKSDA will hold a meeting related to the evaluation and preparation of the tourist activity. The determination of the time for the reopening of the Ijen Crater TWA is likely to be opened and determined afterwards.

"In accordance with the circular, for now when to open again I don't know. I'll see developments later," he said.

Purwantono explained that the closure of the Ijen Crater TWA at the beginning of the year for evaluation and preparation was the first time. In previous years, destinations remained open during the same momentum.

"Last year there was no (closure). Maybe the big hall had other considerations for evaluation materials," he said.

During the Christmas holidays, TWA Ijen Crater was one of the most visited destinations for local tourists and foreign tourists.

"Based on data from the Culture and Tourism Office, from 22 to 26 December 2023, Ijen Crater was one of the most visited, namely 7,612 people," he said.