PT TWC AND BKB SET NEW AGREEMENT ON GUIDE USE AT BOROBUDUR TEMPLE

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan & Ratu Boko (Persero) (TWC) together with the Borobudur Conservation Center (BKB) held a coordination and evaluation meeting on the implementation of visiting regulations at Borobudur Temple on Friday (11/12) in the Awadhana Room, Manohara Borobudur Unit.

During the pandemic, the visitation policy at Borobudur Temple Tourism Park has been adjusted to the implementation of applicable health protocols to ensure visitor safety and comfort in accordance with CHSE standards, namely wearing masks, maintaining distance and washing hands or using hand sanitizer with facilities provided by the destination management.

The BKB, within its Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Visits to Zone 1 of Borobudur Temple, established a policy of providing guides for visitors ascending to Zone 1 of Borobudur Temple at the beginning of the pandemic, with the aim of enhancing educational value and assisting in monitoring health protocols. However, the implementation and effectiveness of the guides have not met the expectations of visitors and tourism stakeholders.

"We received reports from visitors and tourism actors who submitted complaints on social media regarding their inconvenience in visiting Borobudur Temple, especially related to the obligation of visitors to use the services of a paid guide if they want to enter the Zone 1 courtyard area. We apologize for the inconvenience during the visit and are currently conducting an evaluation together with the Borobudur Conservation Center to determine a more appropriate policy," said Emilia Eny Utari, Corporate Secretary of TWC.

"The purpose of implementing guides in the Borobudur Temple area was to improve the quality of visits during the pandemic. However, there were discrepancies in their implementation on the ground. We, as managers of Zone 1 and Zone 2, have evaluated the procedures to adapt them to current conditions," explained Wiwit Kasiyati, Head of the Borobudur Conservation Center.

As a result of the evaluation and coordination discussion, TWC and BKB have made a Joint Agreement Minutes "Evaluation of Tourist Visit Arrangements in Zone 1 of Borobudur Temple" which stipulates that the use of guides in Zone 1 of Borobudur Temple will no longer be implemented starting December 15, 2020 until the ratification of changes to the Visit Procedures to Zone 1 of Borobudur Temple in the Era of Adapting to New Habits during the Covid-19 Pandemic by the Director General of Culture.