The government has decided not to increase the entrance fee to Borobudur Temple Tourism Park to both local and foreign tourists, based on President Joko Widodo's direction. This was decided by President Joko Widodo after a limited meeting on tourism at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Tuesday (6/14).
Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono, said the public entrance fee was still charged at IDR 50,000 per person. "The point is that there is no increase in tariffs, only Rp. 50,000. High school students and below are still Rp. 5,000," Basuki said when he was met by media crews at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Tuesday.
The government will only limit the entry quota, which is 1,200 people per day by requiring visitors to register online first. In addition, he continued, visitors must also be accompanied by a registered tour guide, and wear the footwear that provided by the manager.
"You can't wear the shoes because they erode rocks, so footwear is provided to go upstairs," said Basuki. The government considers that the policy of limiting the visitor quota is carried out for the conservation of the largest Buddhist temple.
Previously, there was a discourse on increasing the rate charged to enter the Borobudur Temple tourist area. The government plans to increase the entrance ticket price for Borobudur Temple tours to Rp 750,000 for local residents and US$ 100 for foreign tourists. In addition, there is a limit on the number of tourists who enter the temple to 1,200 people per day.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said the decision was made solely to preserve the historical and cultural wealth of the archipelago. All tourists will also be required to use a tour guide from local residents around the Borobudur area.
However, the discourse of increasing ticket prices has become a topic of discussion. The increase in the entrance price for the temple in Central Java is considered too high and unnatural for a tourist place.