Beach Managers in Bantul Request Removal of Rp15,000 Through-Tariff
Beach managers along Bantul’s southern coast (Pansela), stretching from Samas Beach to Baru Beach, met with Bantul Regent to propose a new fee tariff scheme. They requested the elimination of the Rp15,000 through-tariff, replacing it instead with a single charge of Rp5,000 per beach destination.
Bayu Sujaka, head of Gua Cemara Beach Tourism Village, stated that tourism visits to the western side of Bantul’s Pansela have been sparse during Ramadan. He attributed this to the Rp15,000 through-tariff per person.
“For example, tourists who only want to visit Gua Cemara Beach and not other beaches still have to pay Rp15,000 per person. That is why we met with the Regent, proposing that the tariff be changed to Rp5,000 per person per destination,” Bayu told reporters in Bantul on Tuesday (3 March 2026).
Bayu continued that a lower tariff would encourage increased tourism visits to Bantul’s Pansela, particularly on the western side. He also proposed that a portion of tariff revenue be returned directly to each destination manager in cash form.
“The reason is so that managers have flexibility in running tourism development programmes without having to wait for lengthy budgetary bureaucratic processes,” he said.
Bayu also proposed that tariff collection points (TPR) operate only at the main entrance to Bantul’s Pansela. Additionally, TPR should operate only during working hours as a positive representation of the beach tourism destination.
“And not provide room for tariff officers to become too involved in destination management affairs and transactions outside their tariff duties,” he added.
Meanwhile, Baru Beach manager Ridwan Subiyanto stated that the Rp5,000 per beach destination tariff has potential to increase local government revenue (PAD).
“If tourists visit four beaches, the total payment could actually exceed the current through-tariff. So we believe that with the Rp5,000 tariff, it could actually increase PAD,” said Ridwan.
Ridwan also proposed that the tariff change be piloted first. According to him, the pilot could be conducted during the Eid holiday period.
“We hope the proposal can be accepted and piloted, especially towards the Eid holiday period to see the direct impact on tourism visits,” he said.
Bantul Regent Abdul Halim Muslih considered the proposal reasonable, as everyone has different perspectives. However, Halim stated that everything must have one goal: to improve tourism in Bantul and benefit the community.
“As for me, a Rp15,000 beach tariff is fine, Rp5,000 is fine, even Rp0 is fine as long as the goal is clear,” said Halim.
According to Halim, developing beach tourism objects is difficult and requires substantial costs. Additionally, there are issues such as coastal erosion, waste accumulation, and ensuring tourist safety.
“Therefore, clarity includes an increase in tourist numbers and increased tourist spending due to waived tariffs. But there must also be the ability to maintain and improve these beaches,” he said.
Halim will invite western Bantul Pansela managers for further discussion. The discussion will involve other tourism industry players, including travel agents, to find the best policy formulation.
“This discussion is interesting and must be decided carefully as it affects many parties. We may discuss this again after Eid,” he said.