ER
THE PRESIDENT Director of the Borobudur, Prambanan, and Ratu Boko Temple Tourism Parks, Edy Setijono, explained that the ticket costs IDR750,000 per person for domestic tourists only to climb the Borobudur Temple, while the price for the entrance ticket to the temple area is still IDR50,000 per person for domestic tourists.
“Meanwhile, the ticket to go up to the temple has increased in price. The regular ticket is still the same for domestic tourists IDR50,000, for foreign tourists it is US$25. Only tickets for this are valid only to the temple grounds,” said Edy to antaranews when contacted from Jakarta, Sunday (6/5).
Edy said the ticket price decision to climb the temple building was IDR750,000 for local tourists and US$100 for foreign tourists was determined through a coordination meeting with the central government.
He explained that the reason for the determination of the ticket price was because there was a quota system per day for those who were allowed to go up to the Borobudur Temple. The government has set a quota that is allowed to climb to the top of the temple, only 1,200 people per day.
The determination of the quota aims to protect the Borobudur Temple building or conservation in order to preserve the historical and cultural wealth of the archipelago.
Edy revealed that the Borobudur Temple building began to experience decline and erosion, which was thought to be caused by an excess load due to tourist visits.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the average number of tourists visiting the Borobudur Temple building was around 10 thousand people per day. During the pandemic, the manager closed up access to Borobudur Temple and tourist visits were only limited to the courtyard or temple yard.
Edy explained that the determination of the price to go up to the temple was based on the consideration of a quota of 1,200 people per day so that visitors who wanted to climb the temple had to be serious and interested.
“What does it mean, people who want to go up to the temple must really be people who have an interest in going up to the temple. If people want to take pictures, they don’t have to go up to the temple, just go downstairs. So that’s the goal,” he remarked.
Edy added that, so, people go up to the temple because they have paid expensive, I think he will be serious, he will learn, we will study. But if you only lose photos, you will pay IDR750,000, just below. Because there is a conservation aspect.
The management has prepared a tour guide or tour guide above the temple who will explain the history of the temple which was built since 770 AD, and explain the reliefs on each temple wall.
Edy emphasized that the price fixing of IDR750,000 for local tourists who want to climb the temple is not due to commercial reasons. The manager provides special access for students who want to learn about Borobudur Temple with a fee of IDR5,000 per student to go up to the top of the temple.
“As a form of our alignment with the world of education, for students it is only set at IDR5,000. This is the answer to why it is expensive, as if it is commercial. No, it is not commercial, the reasons are different. Therefore, for students it is only IDR5,000,” concluded Edy. [antaranews/photo special]
