Tourism Revival in Java’s Easternmost Region

KOMPAS/DEFRI WERDIONO

Tourists enjoy canoeing in a small "lake" on Cacalan Beach in Klatak Village, Kalipuro District, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, as seen, Sunday (22/5/2022) afternoon.

Tourism is reviving in Banyuwangi regency after it experienced a downturn as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Tourist spots and supporting facilities are now gradually reawakening.

Waving coconut trees blended perfectly with the crimson sunlight on Sunday afternoon (22/5/2022) at Cacalan Beach in Klatak subdistrict, Kalipuro district, Banyuwang regency, East Java. Thousands of tourists were enjoying the atmosphere at the beach.

Some were plunging into the waters and gentle waves near the shore, playing with the sand, sitting in small groups with their families, and canoeing in a small pond. Across the Bali Strait, magnificent mountains stood on the western coast of the “Island of the Gods”.

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> Reviving Tourism Sector

At least 1,000 domestic tourists visit the beach each day on the weekends, while 500-700 tourists visit on weekdays. They come from Jember, Bondowoso, Situbondo and other nearby regions.

Tourist arrivals have been on the rebound after almost two years of pandemic pressures. During the pandemic, Cacalan Beach was closed by the Banyuwangi regency administration. As the social restrictions were eased, the beach was reopened.

“Presently, the tourism sector is reviving. Moreover, the government has lifted the requirement to wear face masks outdoors,” said secretary Arif Mursidi of the Cacalan Beach Tourism Awareness Group.

To get to the beach on the Indian Ocean, visitors have to travel quite a long distance from Banyuwangi, including passing through wilderness.

Around 65 kilometers to the south on Pancur Beach in Tegaldlimo district, tourism is also noticeably reviving. The beach, located within the area of Alas Purwo National Park, has started to teem with visitors, especially during the recent Idul Fitri holiday. To get to the beach on the Indian Ocean, visitors have to travel quite a long distance from Banyuwangi, including passing through wilderness.

“There were still [tourists] during the pandemic but their number had declined. The beach was also closed, even during Idul Fitri 2021. Four days after the recent Idul Fitri and up until now, it has been crowded here,” said Rifki, 20, a resident of Kampung 10 village selling meatballs at the beach.

The revival of tourism businesses in Banyuwangi is also enjoyed by tourism services. Homestays that were mostly vacant before are now occupied and even fully booked on weekends. Tourism agents are also enthusiastically welcoming visitors.

Foreign tourists from Bali are thronging to the area, filling the tourism packages that were previously unsold due to Covid-19. They visit a number of popular tourist spots in the easternmost regency of Java Island, including Ijen Crater, with its blue flames that attract many visitors.

KOMPAS/DEFRI WERDIONO

Local tourists take selfies on one side of Cacalan Beach in Klatak Village, Kalipuro District, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, Sunday (22/5/2022) afternoon.

“Occupancy is full. Even on weekends, we have to decline visitors’ requests because we’re fully booked. Their number began to increase early in the fasting month, and again as Idul Fitri neared. After Idul Fitri, the total [number of visitors] decreased slightly and now it’s starting to go back up again,” said Joko Subagyo, the owner of Didu’s Homestay in Rejosari village.

Joko, who also chairs the Banyuwangi Homestay Association, said foreign tourists had started coming to Banyuwangi over the last month. At first, only a few arrived, but then their number has continued to rise. Last week, 12 foreign visitors stayed at his homestay.

In Banyuwangi, around 900 homestays are registered with the Tourism Office. Joko acknowledged that during the pandemic, the occupancy rate at homestays in Banyuwangi had dropped to 10-20 percent. As a result, many homestay owners changed jobs. Quite a few became food vendors, selling dishes like martabak (pancake filled with egg and vegetables) and ayam geprek (smashed fried chicken).

“Some even closed their homestays and sold their houses,” he said.

Banyuwangi is famous for its cultural festivals, but now, instead of online festivals like during the pandemic, the events can be enjoyed offline.

The reawakening of Banyuwangi tourism is also seen in the revivial of cultural activities. Banyuwangi is famous for its cultural festivals, but now, instead of online festivals like during the pandemic, the events can be enjoyed offline.

The Banyuwangi regency administration has started holding the Banyuwangi Festival, launching four programs in May: Independent Learning, Contemporary Dance, Science, and Entrepreneurship.

“Now, there’s also a World Surf League competition being held from the end of May to early June on Plengkung Beach [G-Land], which is also exciting. Its effects are being directly felt by tourists in other places, despite the fairly large distance,” said Joko.

Reawakening

The revival of Banyuwangi tourism is inseparable from the policies of the central government and the regional administration. Easing the rules and reopening tourist destinations are vital to reinvigorate the local tourism sector that has been dormant for two years.

Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani is grateful for the declining number of Covid-19 cases, as well as the easing of restrictions that has led to the improvement in tourism. Accommodation, tourist spots and culinary specialties are again being sought.

“We are striving to ensure that hoteliers, hostels, tourism operators, travel agents and restaurants will comply consistently with the health protocols so that tourists stay safe,” she said.

KOMPAS/DEFRI WERDIONO

Afternoon atmosphere at Cacalan Beach in Klatak Village, Kalipuro District, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, Sunday (22/5/2022).

According to Ipuk, tourism in the regency region was adversely affected during the pandemic as were other regions that relied on tourism.

“We have introduced a program to anticipate any additional economic contraction. It is a program based on the people’s economy, in which we promote micro, small and medium enterprises, provide business opportunities for disadvantaged residents, arrange shopping days [for basic food staples] on certain dates and collect supplies for the Covid-19 task force to distribute to affected people,” she revealed.

In 2020, the Banyuwangi economy grew minus 3.58 percent, whereas it grew 4.08 percent in 2021. Banyuwangi does not rely only on the tourism sector, but also on agriculture and fisheries.

The subsiding pandemic is offering new hope to the people of Banyuwangi.

(This article was translated by Aris Prawira).