Lack of clarity on Borobudur temple fee hike ruffles agents’ feathers

The Indonesian trade is up in arms over the lack of information surrounding the management’s decision to raise the entry fees at a trio of temples in Central Java.

The US$5 fee hike, a decision made by Borobudur Park Corporate for maintenance and upgrading of facilities at Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko temples, raised entry prices to US$25, US$23 and US$18 respectively as of May 1.


Borobudur temple, Yogyakarta

In response to the temple admission fee hike, the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) said the news should have been communicated to them earlier, even though the temples’ management is allowing them until year-end to enjoy the old prices for packages.

Ketut Ardhana, ASITA Bali’s chairman said it’s regrettable that neither he nor his members were informed on the price increase. “I think this is something that should be discussed with the trade (beforehand).”

While Emilia Utari, head of marketing of the temples’ management, said agents should not be affected as they are under contract for the pre-increase price until year-end, agents who have issued programmes for the following year disagree.

“We have no problem with the increment but the (announcement) should be made by November of last year (as) we set our programmes a year ahead,” said Udhi Sudhianto, ASITA Jogjakarta chairman, who was notified through the grapevine days before the price increase.

On the other hand, Ricky Setiawanto of Panorama Destination said the company was informed on the increase at the beginning of this year via an official letter from Borobudur temple’s management.

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