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A STATE-owned holding company in the aviation and tourism sector, PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia or InJourney together with its subsidiary PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan, and Ratu Boko (PT TWC) or InJourney Destination Management (IDM) is re-masterplanning the Borobudur area to realize Borobudur Temple as a world-class tourism destination.
According to Maya Watono, InJourney’s Marketing and Tourism Program Director, the redesign of Borobudur is not only about physical improvement, but also about providing a better future for future generations.
“With a sustainable approach, we are committed to keeping Borobudur alive and relevant in the midst of changing times. We want to ensure that Borobudur is not only seen as a relic of the past, but also as a symbol of hope and innovation that will continue to evolve into a world-class tourism destination,” said Maya Watono.
Borobudur Temple, which is one of the 5 Super Priority Tourism Destinations (DPSP), has been designated as a world-class tourism destination in line with InJourney’s commitment to building an inclusive destination.
“Through the re-master plan and revitalization program that has been implemented, Borobudur is focused not only on maintaining its position as the largest Buddhist monument in the world, but also on becoming a more inclusive and sustainable spiritual, educational and cultural center,” Maya stated.
To realize the vision of quality and sustainable Borobudur tourism, InJourney through IDM is transforming the Borobudur area using 4 pillars, namely spiritual, conservation, education and tourism.
In the spiritual pillar, spatial planning, facilities and development of spiritual activities are carried out. For this pillar, InJourney is revitalizing green open spaces and landscapes as outdoor venues for spiritual study activities. Revitalization of supporting facilities is also carried out.
“The conservation pillar is carried out through the preservation of cultural heritage sites and the revitalization of green open spaces, landscapes for the function of supporting site preservation and arranging tourist visit flows and quotas for going up to the temple. Furthermore, the education pillar is carried out through the development of interpretation and education spaces and facilities. Meanwhile, tourism is through the development of quality and sustainable tourism,” she affirmed.
Meanwhile, IDM President Director, Febrina Intan said that several strategic projects were carried out by InJourney, including focusing on the arrangement of Zone 2 with a strategy that includes adding green areas through afforestation.
“One of the main focuses of this plan is the establishment of the Borobudur Spiritual Sanctuary – a center for meditation, education and preservation of spiritual values. With this facility, Borobudur will become a place where visitors can not only admire its physical beauty, but also feel the spiritual power stored within. IDM is also taking a greener approach to the development of Zone 2,” Febrina elaborated.
She explained, we have reduced the basic building coefficient (KDB) in the Borobudur temple area to below four percent, as recommended by UNESCO, to create a more harmonious and comfortable environment. This green open space will not only beautify the area, but also provide a contemplative area for visitors who want to enjoy the serene natural atmosphere around the temple.
“New facilities such as landscaped gardens, museums and the Borobudur Art Village will enhance the appeal of Borobudur as a center for art and culture. Visitors will be able to enjoy a more diverse experience, from art performances to comfortable resting places. All this is presented to ensure that every visit will be an unforgettable experience, making Borobudur a world-class destination,” Febrina remarked.
Borobudur Art Village, she continued, was built on an area of 10.74 hectares and was designed to enhance the tourist experience with various modern facilities. This project is also a national strategic project that aims to be an attractive tourist destination with better facilities and easy access for tourists. IDM is also committed to assisting traders in the adaptation process, including through training and empowerment programs by engaging more partners.
Improving connectivity for international tourists
In an effort to strengthen Borobudur’s position as a world-class destination, improving international connectivity is also a key focus. Collaboration with airlines such as Thai Airways, which has signed an MoU with InJourney, will enable direct flights from Bangkok to Yogyakarta. This will provide greater access for international tourists, especially from Southeast Asia, to enjoy the wonders of Borobudur.
The number of visits to Borobudur Temple during the peak season was 1.4 million, both domestic and foreign tourists, of which 10% were visits from foreign tourists. With this very potential number and with the opening of air connectivity between Thailand via Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA), it is targeted that there will be a 5-fold increase in visits from foreign tourists in the future. [sources/photo special]
