Banyuwangi Swamped by Tourists During Long Weekend, Hotels and Homestays Reach Full Capacity
Finding an available hotel room in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, was no easy task during the recent Ascension Day long weekend. From morning until night, numerous hotels received a continuous stream of guests, while local residents’ homestays were also swamped by tourists arriving from various regions.
The surge in tourists during the period of 14-17 May 202_ [Note: Original text says 2026] resulted in occupancy rates across various accommodations nearly reaching 100 per cent. Based on collected data, 52,478 tourists were recorded visiting Banyuwangi during this long weekend momentum.
The General Manager of Kokoon Hotel Banyuwangi, Weni Kristanti, acknowledged the high level of tourist interest during this long holiday. According to her, the spike in occupancy serves as a positive signal for the hospitality industry in Banyuwangi. “This drastic surge in occupancy rates reflects the high loyalty and trust of guests in the quality of service and facilities we provide,” said Weni on Sunday.
The full capacity of hotels has also brought economic impacts to the local community. Homestays or local guesthouses became an alternative choice for tourists who could not secure hotel rooms or those seeking a stay closer to local life. Several homestay managers reported that room demand increased sharply even before the holiday period began, as experienced by the owner of Calliandra Homestay, Arin Septianingrum.
She noted that this phenomenon is closely linked to the “Homestay Naik Kelas” (Upgrading Homestays) programme implemented by the Banyuwangi Regency Government in recent years. This programme encourages the improvement of local homestay quality through facility upgrades and service standardisation. With improved quality, local homestays are now considered capable of competing with conventional lodgings. In addition to helping alleviate hotel congestion, the presence of homestays ensures that the economic impact of tourism is felt more directly by the community.
The increase in tourist visits during this long weekend also demonstrates Banyuwangi’s strong appeal as a tourist destination. The combination of nature tourism, ease of access, and ongoing tourism agendas are key factors driving high visitor numbers. The Acting Head of the Banyuwangi Culture and Tourism Office, Hartono, urged all tourism stakeholders to maintain service quality amidst the surge in visitors. “We deeply appreciate and express our gratitude to the tourists for choosing Banyuwangi as their primary destination. Our commitment is to continue refining the quality of regional tourism so that every visit leaves a lasting impression,” said Hartono.