The Sabang Merauke Festival at Borobudur Temple Strengthens the Tourism Ecosystem and Local Economy

InJourney Destination Management (IDM) held a colossal performance, the Sabang Merauke Performance (PSM), at Lumbini Park, Borobudur Temple Tourism Park, Magelang, Central Java, on Tuesday (December 30, 2025). The Sabang Merauke Performance was not only designed for entertainment but also as an educational tool for the younger generation to further appreciate the richness of Indonesian culture while strengthening Borobudur Temple's position as a world-class cultural tourism destination.

As a featured attraction to welcome the 2025 year-end holiday season, the performance, which carries the theme "Borobudur Masterpiece," involves more than 90 professional dancers from various corners of the country. This performance presents a series of dances, music, and ethnic costumes that depict the richness of Indonesian national identity in front of thousands of domestic and international tourists.

"The Sabang Merauke performance is a strategic effort to revive the narrative of the archipelago's cultural heritage through magnificent performing arts, while simultaneously strengthening Borobudur Temple's position as a dynamic, world-class cultural tourism destination," explained IDM Commercial Director Gistang Panutur, Tuesday (30/12/2025).

IDM hopes that by synchronizing the magnificent architecture of the temple with contemporary performing arts that are rich in historical value, it can provide a more profound and emotional tourism experience for visitors. 

"This activity also demonstrates our commitment to revitalizing narratives at historical destinations to ensure they remain relevant to current developments without abandoning existing traditional roots," he continued.

IDM Commercial Director Gistang Panutur stated that holding this large-scale event tonight is a real step by the company to improve the quality of tourist visits by increasing... length of stay or the duration of tourists' stay in the Magelang area. 

According to him, with the continuous quality performances, tourists will no longer just stop by to see the temple for a short time, but will be encouraged to stay overnight and enjoy the atmosphere of the Borobudur area for longer. 

“This directly creates multiply effect "For the local economy, the hospitality sector, transportation services, and MSMEs around the cultural heritage area will feel the positive impact of this increased economic activity," he explained.

One audience member from Jakarta, Rina, admitted that she brought her child to the venue to introduce them to the diversity of Indonesian culture in a location with a sacred aura not found elsewhere. She explained that the performance served as a means of learning about history in a modern way.

This performance wasn't just about aesthetics; it also had a humanitarian mission. At the end of the event, the organizers raised donations from the audience as a form of solidarity for the communities affected by the floods and landslides in West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and Aceh.

The tourism transformation championed by PT TWC currently focuses on the quality of visits that can have a sustainable impact on the well-being of local communities. By extending tourist stays through captivating arts and cultural attractions, the economic ecosystem in the Borobudur area can become more productive and inclusive. 

"InJourney Destination Management will continue to consistently present similar innovations to ensure that Borobudur Temple is not only a monument to the past, but also a center of economic and cultural growth that provides real benefits to the surrounding environment and strengthens the nation's identity in the eyes of the world," he concluded.