DENPASAR, OborDewata.com – Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana outlined the peak tourist movement periods for the upcoming Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025 holidays. These peaks are expected from December 21-24, December 28-31, 2024, and January 2-5, 2025. She also emphasized the tourism sector’s preparedness to welcome holidaymakers. The number of travelers during the holiday is projected to reach 110.67 million, as disclosed during a Cross-Sectoral Coordination Meeting on the readiness of Operation Lilin 2024.
“For the Christmas and New Year holidays, we are closely monitoring tourist movements, especially during the peak periods,” said Minister Widiyanti Putri.
According to the Ministry of Transportation’s survey, most travel movements during the holidays will be centered on Java Island, with the primary destinations being Central Java, Yogyakarta, and West Java. Other areas expecting a high influx of tourists include Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek), East Java, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Bali, Lampung, and South Sulawesi.
The Ministry of Tourism has implemented several strategies to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of tourists, which will remain in place until January 2025.
First is issuance and dissemination of a Circular Letter on safe, comfortable, and enjoyable holiday tourism management for Christmas and New Year celebrations. The letter emphasizes CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environment Sustainability) standards and ensures the safety of visitors to tourist attractions during this period.
“The Ministry of Tourism have also followed up on the previous circular with a specific appeal for each destination to conduct a risk assessment so that they can better prepare the destination and face the worst possibilities during the peak number of tourists,” he said.
The Tourism Ministry also conducted a direct inspections of tourism destinations and transport hubs such as Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Blimbingsari Airport in Banyuwangi, Ketapang Harbor in Banyuwangi, and Gilimanuk Port. Future inspections will include popular sites like Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, Ragunan Zoo, and Taman Safari Bogor.
“We appreciate the Ministry of Transportation, airports, and other stakeholders that are involved in the Christmas and New Year Posts in every location. Also, preparation of various infrastructure and facilities to maintain a good travel experience, such as at Bali (Airport), there is a pedestrian bridge connecting the arrival and departure terminals to the passenger drop-off area and parking building,” he added.
The Tourism Ministry, Widi said will maximize communication to disseminate information to tourists, encouraging responsible tourism practices, and equipping visitors with practical guides for a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Hopefully this step will give practice guide and increase tourist awareness in dealing with various situations during the holidays so that the travel experience remains safe, comfortable and enjoyable.
The Tourism Ministry also has activated tourism crisis management to monitor tourism activities. And the last is working closely with local governments and stakeholders to implement CHSE standards in major tourist hubs.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued early warnings for extreme weather during the holiday period. Uncertain weather conditions pose one of the main concerns for travelers.
“Extreme weather can increase accident risks. Therefore, I urge stakeholders to regularly monitor weather updates and integrate this information into holiday coordination efforts,” said Minister Widiyanti.
Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who attended the meeting, confirmed that the government is fully prepared to ensure public safety during the holidays.
The police have set up 2,794 command posts, including 1,852 security posts, 735 service posts, and 207 integrated posts to safeguard 61,452 locations, including churches, shopping centers, terminals, stations, ports, airports, tourist sites, and New Year celebration spots.
“With the deployment of personnel and cooperation with related stakeholders, we hope that Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025 celebrations will run smoothly, ensuring optimal public service,” added the Police Chief.
Minister Widiyanti was accompanied by Acting Deputy for Destination and Infrastructure Development, Hariyanto; Acting Deputy for Industry and Investment, Rizki Handayani; and Acting Deputy for Marketing, Ni Made Ayu Marthini.
Caption: Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana delivering a statement on the tourism sector’s preparedness for the Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025 holidays. ri/nda/sathya
