Borobudur Spiritual Familiarization Trip Program, Supports the Borobudur-Yogyakarta-Prambanan National Tourism Development Master Plan

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan, and Ratu Boko (TWC) strives to promote quality tourism in the Borobudur-Yogyakarta-Prambanan area. This is done by promoting spiritual tourism in cultural heritage destinations and historical sites. One way to achieve this is by presenting authentic, thematic, and inclusive tourism plans to promote the shared well-being of the local communities.

This is realized through the Borobudur Spiritual Familiarization Trip . This spiritual-based tourism program invites famtrip participants to visit cultural heritage sites to learn and absorb the sublimity of these sites, located in Central Java and Yogyakarta. Educational, spiritual, and authentic values ​​are highlighted to create a memorable travel experience.

The development of spiritual tourism through the Borobudur Spiritual Familiarization Trip is being implemented to support the Borobudur-Yogyakarta-Prambanan National Tourism Destination Master Plan (RIPDN BYP). Tourism development in the DPN BYP is aimed at improving the quality and growth of tourism activities between 2023 and 2044.

Vice President of Commercial & Experience PT TWC Emilia Eny Utari said that the development of the tourism ecosystem needs to be done, so as to provide holistic and authentic services to tourists. Strategic policy steps are needed to support the role of various parties in efforts to present quality tourism in the Borobudur-Yogyakarta-Prambanan area.

"Post-pandemic, the tourism sector is expected to recover and contribute positively to Indonesia's economic growth, given the multiplier effect tourism has on other sectors, such as crafts, culinary arts, and the creative economy. Collaboration and active participation from various parties are needed to promote quality tourism and unlock the potential of regions and communities," said Emilia Eny Utari in Borobudur, Magelang, on Thursday (19/10/2023).

The Borobudur Spiritual Familiarization Trip is an introductory spiritual tourism package that emphasizes authentic experiences at cultural heritage sites in Yogyakarta and Central Java. Meditation and prayer activities at these Buddhist historical sites are the highlight of the program for participants from various Asian countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, and India.

Famtrip participants were invited to visit several Buddhist temple complexes in Central Java and Yogyakarta, such as Borobudur Temple, Mendut Temple, Pawon Temple, Sojiwan Temple, Plaosan Temple, and Sewu Temple. At these sites, participants not only prayed and meditated, but also gained historical insights and learned about universal and humanistic Buddhist values.

In addition to the temple site, Famtrip participants also participated in traditional batik and pottery workshops in collaboration with local artisans in Borobudur, Magelang. These activities, in addition to providing a new and authentic experience, also helped boost the economy of local artisans in the Borobudur area.

Dao Tuan Vu, one of the participants in the Borobudur Spiritual Familiarization Trip , is confident that this package will be popular with special interest tourists. Furthermore, given the large Buddhist population in Asia, it presents significant potential for the growth of spiritual tourism in Indonesia.

"I enjoyed the pilgrim journey from the existing Buddhist temples, practicing meditation on Dagi Hill and learning batik. This is a journey with a complete and whole experience. Hopefully, this pilgrim tour can continue to be developed and become a new target, especially for special interest tourists," explained the man from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

The famtrip was held thanks to the collaboration of various parties, including the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology through the Regional Cultural Preservation Center X and the Borobudur Unit of the Cultural Heritage and Museum (MCB), Angkasa Pura I, the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) of Magelang City, the Department of Tourism, Youth and Sports of Magelang Regency, the Indonesian Inbound Tour Operators Association (IINTOA) and the Association of Buddhist Tour Operators Indonesia (ABTO).

Emilia Eny Utari added that through the ongoing Famtrip activities, her team received feedback from participants and stakeholders regarding the development of effective spiritual tourism packages . Various specific policies to support spiritual tourism are needed, such as special permits for pilgrim tours, direct flights from the country of origin, and specialized pilgrim tour guides. These are expected to help accelerate spiritual tourism in the Borobudur-Yogyakarta-Prambanan National Tourism Destination (DPN) area.

" This Borobudur Spiritual Familiarization Trip is at the forefront of tourism empowerment, embracing its diverse potential, which can drive economic growth in the Borobudur-Yogyakarta-Prambanan National Tourism Destination (DPN) area. We hope for the support of various stakeholders to continue playing a role in fostering a quality tourism ecosystem in Indonesia," he concluded.

The Borobudur-Yogyakarta-Prambanan area has been designated by the Indonesian Government as part of the National Tourism Destination Master Plan/Integrated Tourism Master Plan (RIDPN/ITMP) along with Lake Toba, Raja Ampat, and Wakatobi. The Integrated and Sustainable Tourism Development Program with a thematic, holistic, integrative and spatial planning approach aims to develop a competitive tourism area that is able to provide economic, social and sustainable benefits.