Potential Landslides Exist But Dispar Yogyakarta Ensures Tourist Attractions Operate During Christmas-New Year Holidays

Head of Dispar DIY Imam Pratanadi. BETWEEN/Luqman Hakim

YOGYAKARTA - The Yogyakarta Special Region Tourism Office (Dispar) emphasized that there will be no closure of tourist destinations before or during the 2025 Christmas and 2026 New Year holidays. All tourist attractions are confirmed to continue operating as usual.

"We emphasize that there is no closure of tourist destinations, all tourist destinations will continue to operate as usual," said Head of Dispar DIY Imam Pratanadi in an official statement received in Yogyakarta, Antara, Thursday, December 11.

The statement was made by Imam in response to information about landslide vulnerabilities in a number of DIY tourist areas.

Based on the mapping of the DIY Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), there are three areas that have the potential to be landslide-prone, namely the Menoreh Hills, the Sewu Mountains, and the Patuk'Imogiri Hills. All three include several popular tourist destinations.

However, all destinations in the area are certainly safe to visit. Imam emphasized that the findings of the vulnerability were part of routine mapping of disaster mitigation.

"The landslide incident is a natural phenomenon that cannot be predicted for sure. Therefore, mapping areas that have the potential to be prone to landslides is a standard procedure in disaster mitigation efforts," he said.

He said, since 2023, landslides in tourist destinations have only been recorded in the Breksi Cliff parking area. Another incident did not occur in the destination area so it did not have an impact on tourism operations.

Mitigation efforts in landslide-prone areas, according to Imam, have been carried out with the Regency/City Tourism Office, DIY BPBD, Satpol PP, TNI/Polri, destination managers, and the local community. Supervision is carried out intensively.

In addition, Dispar DIY has also asked tourism managers and tourist villages to prepare directional signs and warning signs, ensure safety equipment is functioning, and monitor the weather situation in real time through CCTV and BMKG information.

Imam appealed to tourists to remain calm in planning trips.

"Security, safety, and comfort of tourists are our top priority, and any potential risks will be handled according to the mitigation procedures that have been prepared," he said.