Yogyakarta - Back on its Feet: Central Java, Indonesia

By Wombat | September 11th, 2006 | 1 Comment »

Tourism and education are both very important for Yogyakarta’s economy. Both, however, are suffering a great deal in the wake of a series of natural disasters, including the Mt. Merapi eruption, the May 27 earthquake and the July 17 tsunami according to Slamet Susanto of the Jakarta Post.

As a result, the occupancy rate of some 900 hotels throughout the ancient city has dropped to nearly 12 percent from 60 percent previously, affecting tens of thousands of jobs.

At the same time, there has been a 20 percent drop in the number of university students registering here this academic year. However, Yogyakartans are optimistic about the future and are determined to bounce back, with the city celebrating its 250th anniversary on October 7.

“Through the celebration of the 250th anniversary of Yogyakarta we will overcome all these (hardships). We ask the community to focus on tourism and education,” anniversary coordinator Sri Sadono Darmo Sudarto said.

Sri Sadono said the city’s image had been dealt a huge blow. He said this was partly the fault of the media, which had made it seem as though the city was completely destroyed.

A series of anniversary programs are underway to prove to the world the city has life in it yet.

“The people deserve to get accurate information about Yogyakarta,” Sri Sadono said.

The celebration itself officially began on July 16 with more than 5,000 people attending a mass gathering on the legendary Jl. Malioboro.

The Yogyakarta tourism marketing program has its own slogan: Menuju Kebersamaan untuk Yogyakarta Bangkit (Togetherness for Yogya Revival).

Special events aimed at attracting tourists to Yogyakarta have included the Netpac Asian Film Festival from Aug. 7 to 12. More than 50 Asian films about the fall of Asian nations were screened during the festival themed Cinema in The Midst of Crisis.

From Aug. 19 to 27, as many as 18 performances by students were staged at City Hall on Jl. Timoho, along with a weeklong exhibition of the work of high school and university students.

Artists from Japan, China and Australia performed from Aug. 23 to Aug. 27.

Yet to come is a cultural parade on Sept. 15, which will start at Ambarketawang and end at the Yogyakarta Palace.
It is said that while waiting for the Yogyakarta Palace to be built, the first sultan of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I, resided at Ambarketawang Palace in Gamping, Sleman.

“The parade, therefore, is held to commemorate the establishment of Yogyakarta Palace and, at the same time, spread the spirit of awakening among the people after the earthquake,” said Sigit Kusuma from the Yogyakarta Tourism Office.

Other highlights include traditional Javanese drama wayang orang and children’s theater.

In the meantime, in order to help revive the economy, the monthlong Jogja Great Sale was launched Thursday. It ends on Oct. 7. A discount of up to 70 percent is being offered during this period at the city’s shopping malls and stores.

“We hope to be able to attract more than 10,000 tourists during this monthlong program. This will hopefully let everyone know the city is worth visiting,” Sigit said.

A nine-day traditional arts festival also started on Sept. 2, involving the 14 subdistricts in Yogyakarta municipality.
Tegalrejo subdistrict, for example, staged ketoprak tobong, a traditional Javanese drama telling the story of Suminten Edan.

“We think the story is interesting. It describes the stress people were under after the earthquake. But it’s more of a parody — so it helps people to laugh, forget their woes and start living normal lives again,” Tegalrejo resident Waluh said, adding that the performance would run for a week from Sept. 3.

“We just want everything to return to normal as soon as possible. We hope the tourists will return and people who work in the industry can get back on their feet.”

Slamet Susanto