Yogyakarta Remains Tourist Magnet During Eid Holiday Period
A survey by the Ministry of Transport indicates that 8.2 million people are predicted to travel to Yogyakarta during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr holiday period. This figure reflects high mobility compared with Yogyakarta’s population of just 3.7-3.8 million residents.
Dr Destha Titi Raharjana, a researcher at Gadjah Mada University’s Centre for Tourism Studies, estimates tourist arrivals to the special region will reach approximately 1.46 million, with Yogyakarta City and Sleman Regency being the most visited areas.
“This year there is an upturn which is believed to be due to increasingly improved tollway access approaching the city centre, the northern route via Tempel and the eastern route via Prambanan,” she explained at the university campus on Tuesday, 17 March.
Destha predicts peak arrival flows will occur five to three days before Eid, whilst peak tourism visits are expected around 22 March 2026.
Destha does not dismiss the reality that Yogyakarta remains a tourist magnet during the long Eid holiday. The region is considered capable of offering alternative tourism that is accessible to visitors. Added to this is increasingly improved transport connectivity, particularly the Trans-Java Tollway, which facilitates access for those using overland transport.
Several areas in Yogyakarta also offer cuisine with relatively affordable food and beverage prices. “Yogyakarta is known as a budget tourism destination. Yogyakarta also holds countless memories for those who have studied or worked in this city. The Eid holiday is certainly one opportunity to revisit nostalgia,” she explained.
She confirms that several locations with conventional attractions, such as Malioboro, Ground Zero, Monument and surroundings, the Palace, Tamansari water castle and several coastal areas in Bantul Regency will continue to be crowded with tourists.
Even some areas in Gunungkidul that recently offer various Instagram-worthy attractions are expected to become tourist destinations. The same applies to tourism villages with homestays, as well as villages in Bantul, Sleman and Kulon Progo regencies.
“This certainly has the potential to receive tourist visits, both those attracted to the sites or activity packages in tourism villages,” she said.
Despite experiencing quite significant growth in tourism to Yogyakarta, Destha suspects this will not translate into high tourist spending.
From an economic behaviour perspective, she believes tourists will be selective in their spending. Looking at the current situation, she believes tourists appear to have low purchasing power.
It is likely that many tourists will choose free tourism activities, such as using public spaces and utilising budget accommodation like budget hotels or homestays, as well as undertaking one-day trips.
“In essence, tourists this year appear to be more selective in their spending, although there are also some who remain generous in spending on food and beverages, as well as purchasing souvenirs,” she said.
Given the large number of tourist visits, Destha cautioned about environmental issues and responsible tourism commitments.
She noted that the predicted surge of 8.2 million people will bring significant environmental consequences. For this reason, she urged destination managers and tourists to strengthen Yogyakarta’s commitment as a responsible tourism destination.
“The euphoria of nostalgia in Yogyakarta must not leave behind waste problems that tarnish the aesthetic image of the city,” she stated firmly.
She said it is important to pay attention to the environmental impact of this explosion in visitor numbers. “We must together ensure that the surge in visits does not result in a corresponding surge in waste volumes at congested points.”
The Ministry of Transport estimates the number of Eid holiday travellers this year will reach 143.91 million people (50.6% of the nation’s population).
Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi estimates the peak congestion during the 2026 Eid holiday period will occur on 16 and 18 March 2026.
The Ministry of Transport has implemented a delaying system and established buffer zones at Merak Port, Bakauheni, Ketapang and Gilimanuk to anticipate congestion during the 2026 Eid holiday period.