TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investments Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan on Wednesday revealed that the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry has completed concocting the plan to increase Borobudur Temple’s entry fee. He said the new policy is set to be tested as soon as it is announced by the temple’s management, Taman Wisata Candi (TWC).

“What’s certain is that we will restrict the number of people entering [Borobudur] to protect it from damages, and stone degradations. TWC will calculate it again,” said Luhut at the Tourism Ministry headquarters in Central Jakarta, on February 8.

Tourists will also be restricted to a maximum daily visit of 1,200 people.

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno said the entry fee will likely range from Rp100,000 - Rp150,000 for domestic tourists and Rp500,000 for international tourists. He claims this calculation is based on the final trial period the ministry enacted in partnership with the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF).

With this new entry fee, tourists will receive added benefits during their visits. He said local guides will help deepen tourists’ historical knowledge about the place and there will also be mandatory sandals for tourists stepping on the Borobudur temple’s structure in an attempt to slow down the degradation.

“This will spark new opportunities and jobs,” said Uno.

RIANI SANUSI PUTRI

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