Tourists Heading to Gunungkidul Complain About Still Being Charged at Parangtritis TPR

A social media post narrating tourists heading to Gunungkidul being charged fees at the Parangtritis Toll Collection Point (TPR) in Bantul has caused a stir online. Bantul Regency’s Tourism Office (Dispar) has responded to the matter.

“The practice of double levies has resurfaced on Friday (10/04/2026). Tourists intending to visit the Gunungkidul tourism area were reportedly charged fees again at TPR Parangtritis. This incident has drawn attention because similar issues previously lacked thorough clarification from relevant parties. In fact, there had been a cross-regional agreement that tourists destined for Gunungkidul should not be charged fees in other areas. The re-emergence of this practice is seen as potentially harming tourists and undermining commitments to transparent and accountable tourism services. As of this report, no official statement from the relevant agencies has been issued regarding the cause of the renewed charges,” wrote the Instagram account @gunungkidul_viral2, as seen by detikJogja on Monday (13/4/2026).

Adyatama for Tourism and Creative Economy at Bantul’s Dispar, Markus Purnomo Adi, said he was aware of the post. He suspects the tourists did not specify their destination.

“This isn’t about blaming each other; perhaps the tourists were going to Parangtritis Beach and paid there. Then, upon reaching Gunungkidul, they said something like that (wanting to go to Gunungkidul but being asked to pay at TPR Parangtritis),” he said when contacted by reporters on Monday (13/4/2026).

Markus stated that the Head of Dispar Bantul has instructed TPR Parangtritis officers to let tourists heading to Gunungkidul pass without charge. This instruction has been in effect since April 2026.

“Clearly, the Head of the Office has told the TPR officers to exempt tourists going to Gunungkidul. After the Eid holiday, the colleagues at TPR Parangtritis have also stopped charging tourists heading to Gunungkidul,” he said.

Therefore, Markus urged tourists heading to Gunungkidul via TPR Parangtritis to inform the officers of their destination. This is because TPR officers rarely question each arriving tourist individually at Parangtritis TPR.

“Tourists are hoped to state where they are going upon reaching TPR Parangtritis, because if they say they are going to Gunungkidul, they definitely won’t be charged,” he concluded.