TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) confirmed that the hiking trails of Mount Marapi Natural Tourism Park (TWA) in Tanah Datar have been reopened starting July 24, 2023, after a months-long closure due to rising volcanic activity.

From the beginning of the year, precisely on January 7, 2023, the volcano’s hiking area was closed following eruptions.

Head of the West Sumatra BKSDA Ardi Andono claimed the online booking system for entering Mount Marapi TWA is the first ever applied in the country. “Indonesia has about 500 TWA, and Marapi is the first to use an online booking system,” he said.

The entrance fee via the online booking system is Rp10,000 per person on weekdays and Rp15,000 per person on weekends or holidays. In addition to the entrance fee, visitors are required to pay a service fee at the entrance of three villages; Batu Palano, Koto Baru, and Aie Angek.

“The fee for the travel service permit is divided into three, namely evacuation service, management service, and hiking trails management service. It’s Rp25,000 (per person) collected by the Tourism Awareness Group in the three villages,” Ardi explained.

“So overall, a tourist will spend Rp10,000 for booking a ticket online, Rp25,000 for travel services, and Rp2,500 for insurance,” Ardi reiterated.

The West Sumatra BKSDA said online ticket reservations and payments can be made via https://booking.bksdasumbar.org. Would-be visitors will get e-ticketings via email to be presented to officers in the area.

RINDI ARISKA | FACHRI HAMZAH

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