Many Jakarta Residents Not Travelling Home for Eid, Tourism Minister: Museums Can Be an Eid Holiday Option
Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana inspected the readiness of several museums in Jakarta to welcome the holiday period for Nyepi Day and Eid 2026. Widi visited three museum locations in Jakarta on Tuesday (17/3/2026), namely the National Awakening Museum, the Indonesia National Gallery, and the Indonesia National Museum.
Widi explained that data from the DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency estimates that around four million residents will remain in Jakarta or not travel home for Eid 2026. This situation presents an opportunity for in-city tourist destinations, including museums, to become recreational choices for the public.
“To the Indonesian people, if not travelling abroad, let us holiday domestically. In our cities, there are many excellent and educational tourist attractions, such as museums,” said Widi in a written statement in Jakarta on Tuesday (17/3/2026).
According to her, museums have great potential as alternative tourist destinations, especially for those spending holidays in Jakarta. Museums are no longer just historical storage spaces but have developed into relevant, interactive, and inclusive recreational spaces for various groups, particularly families.
“This visit is not only aimed at ensuring destination readiness but also part of efforts to promote more broadly so that tourist movements can be more evenly distributed across various destination points,” Widi continued.
During the inspection, she examined several important aspects, including visitor flow management, queuing systems, and exhibition space capacity to remain comfortable despite surges in visits. In addition, the cleanliness of public facilities and security aspects were primary concerns to guarantee visitor comfort and safety.
Widi also emphasised the importance of integrating digital services, both in ticket purchasing systems and information provision, to provide easy access and enhance the visiting experience. Overall, she appreciated the various efforts made by museum managers in welcoming the Nyepi and Eid 2026 holidays.
“One of them is evident at the Indonesia National Museum, which presents an immersive space capable of creating a more interactive and engaging experience for visitors,” said Widi.
In preparation for the holidays, the Ministry of Tourism, along with the Tourism Polytechnic and Authorities under the Ministry, has conducted visits to 170 destination points and organised 118 regional events included in the Kharisma Event Nusantara. Widi said the public can check the event calendar and various destination information through the official page at indonesia.co.id.
“Through these various efforts, the Ministry of Tourism continues to encourage the utilisation of domestic destinations as recreational spaces that not only entertain but also enrich knowledge and strengthen love for the nation’s culture,” said Widi.