Monumental Price Increase

(1/18/2013)

The Deputy-Minister for Tourism and the Creative Economy, Sapta Nirwandar, told Bisnis.com that he is not concerned with the increase in entrance fee for the ancient Buddhist monument of Borobudur - calling on all concerned to see the price hike objectively.

“A ticket to visit the Candi Borobudur, when compared with tourist objects overseas in the countries of origin for the tourists, is relatively inexpensive. I once visited the Grand Canyon and the price was US$45, that was just to look at the canyon,” said Sapta at a ceremony held at the Ministry on Friday, January 18, 2013.

However, a check with the U.S. National Park Service Website for the Grand Canyon shows the current cost for one car, including all occupants, is US$25 and valid for 7 days. An individual visitor to the park pays only $12.

For comparison purposes, the current admission rates at various international attractions:

• St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican) US$20.00
• Coliseum (Rome) US$18.00
• Louvre Museum (Paris) US$13.50 
• Eiffel Tower (Paris) US$20.00
• Westminster Abbey (London) US$26.00
• London Eye (London) US$32.00
• British Museum (London) Free of charge
• Pyramid of Kufo (Egypt) US$15.00
• Angkor Wat (Cambodia) US$20.00

Sapta urged that the cost of visiting the Borobudur Park must be viewed in an objective manner. He said, if seen from the Indonesian perspective, the price would appear too high in comparison with the low earning power of most citizens. But, he insists that foreign visitors have the buying power to afford the new admission price at the Borobudur complex.

Tourism industry members in Yogyakarta have objected to the US$20 admission fee, concerned that foreign visitors will be dissuaded from visiting the site.

Meanwhile, domestic visitors now pay Rp. 142,000 (US$14.20) to visit the Candi Borobudur.

Sapta asked the tourism industry share the information with their guests on the new admission fee, certain that there will be little negative feedback from tourist visitors. At the same time, Sapta called on the Complex’s management to improve cleanliness at the Park and bring the disorganized traders surrounding the park into line.