Holidaymakers swarm beaches

YOGYAKARTA: After being very quiet for many months, some tourist destinations in Gunungkidul in Yogyakarta have seen a significant increase in tourist arrivals.

Antara reported that holidaying school students were seen flocking the Baron, Kukup and Krakal beaches in the Tanjungsari district. Most of the students came from outside of Yogyakarta coming to the locations in buses.

"It started on Sunday, with beachgoers crowding food stalls, souvenir shops and fish sellers along the beach," said Wawan who owns a food stall on Baron Beach.

The increasing number of domestic tourists to the district has removed the anxiety of the local tourist industry that had been affected by erroneous rumors of an approaching tropical storm some months ago.

Head of the Gunungkidul tourism and cultural agency Sumedi said the increase was as not as high as the previous year and therefore there was no need to hike the entrance fee for the beach. Only on certain days such as the Islamic Idul Fitri holidays and New Year did the authority feel the need to double the entrance fee from Rp 2,000 to Rp 4,000.

Separately head of the people's welfare agency Sugeng Pratopo said that no additional equipment for Search and Rescue (SAR) units stationed in the beaches has been purchased.

"The SAR team has second hand vehicles bought in 1982 and rescue equipment that is in poor condition. Revenue from the tourists should be used to rejuvenate rescue equipment so units can provide better services for tourists," he said. --Antara