Will Indonesia’s quality tourism plan push out domestic visitors from Borobudur?
- A proposal to raise entry fees for domestic visitors to the ancient temple by 1,500 per cent has been met with anger and disbelief
- The controversy highlights the challenge Indonesia faces in striking the right balance between economic growth, sustainability and accessibility
Indonesia’s ancient Borobudur Temple, the world’s largest Buddhist holy site, is in the spotlight as the country navigates growing its travel sector while ensuring tourism remains sustainable.
The sacred 9th-century temple has long been a tourist attraction, drawing up to 4 million local and international visitors every year before the pandemic.
Indonesia wants to further promote Borobudur, including it in a list of five “super priority tourist destinations” in its push for quality tourism. But conscious of overtourism concerns, it believes raising entry fees from the current 50,000 rupiah (US$3.44) while limiting the daily number of visitors is vital.
The right ticket price, however, is a fraught subject, as the government found out recently after officials announced – then backtracked from – a proposal to raise fees to 750,000 rupiah (US$51) for locals wanting to climb to the upper levels of Borobudur. Foreigners would have to pay US$100.
The proposed price hike was met with anger and disbelief in Indonesia. In Central Java, where Borobudur is based, the minimum wage is US$124 per month. In 2018, about 90 per cent of the 4 million total annual visitors to Borobudur were domestic tourists.
“Borobudur is a centre of education and knowledge that should be accessible to those who have an interest in its history and life around it,” Halik Sandera, the executive director of the Indonesian Forum for Environment in Yogyakarta told This Week in Asia.
“If ticket prices are increased, it only makes it accessible for those who can afford it, but what about those who can’t? It needs to be fair so that everyone can visit.”