Over 400,000 Tourists Flock to Banyuwangi During Eid Holiday, Boosting Local Economy

Banyuwangi experienced an extraordinary surge in tourist arrivals during the Eid al-Fitr 1446 Hijri holiday season. According to the Banyuwangi Regency Culture and Tourism Office, a total of 412,000 tourists visited various attractions in the region from March 28 to April 7, 2025. This figure marks a remarkable increase of nearly 300 percent compared to normal daily visits.

“Banyuwangi experienced a significant surge in tourists during the Eid al-Fitr 1446 Hijri holiday. The Banyuwangi Regency Culture and Tourism Office recorded that 412 thousand tourists flooded various tourist destinations in Bumi Blambangan during the Eid holiday from March 28 to April 7, 2025. This number of visits has increased drastically by almost 300 percent compared to normal days.”

Among the top tourist destinations, Pulau Merah Beach ranked first, drawing more than 50,000 visitors. Boom Beach followed closely with 32,961 tourists. Other popular attractions included Banyuwangi Park, Ijen Crater, Grand Watudodo, Jopuro Tourism, De Djawatan Forest, Tamansari Tourism Village, Cacalan Beach, Telunjuk Raung Waterfall, and Blimbingsari Beach.

This impressive influx of tourists had a direct and positive impact on local hospitality businesses. During the holiday period, 44,660 tourists stayed in various accommodations throughout Banyuwangi. The region’s hotel occupancy rate climbed to an impressive 85 percent. Data breakdown shows that 22,400 visitors stayed in starred hotels, 16,640 opted for budget hotels, over 5,000 tourists enjoyed homestays, and 450 stayed in boutique accommodations.

The financial implications of this tourism boom were equally striking. Tourist spending during the ten-day Eid holiday reached a total of IDR 55.7 billion. This included IDR 16 billion in accommodation expenditures, IDR 22.5 billion in entrance ticket sales, and IDR 14 billion in food and beverage revenue. This substantial economic contribution highlights the vital role of tourism in supporting Banyuwangi’s regional economy.

Not only the hospitality and culinary sectors thrived, but local MSMEs and souvenir centers also enjoyed a financial windfall. “Souvenir centers in Banyuwangi also experienced a significant increase in turnover. From a number of MSMEs and souvenir centers in Banyuwangi, during this Eid holiday, they reaped a blessing of 3.2 billion.”

Head of the Banyuwangi Culture and Tourism Office, Taufik Rohman, expressed his appreciation and gratitude toward the tourists and all tourism stakeholders who contributed to this success.

“We are very grateful for the trust of tourists. This spike is a motivation for us to continue to improve the quality of service and develop Banyuwangi’s tourism potential,” he said.

He also praised the readiness and dedication of tourism operators, including destination managers, accommodation providers, and souvenir shop owners, who ensured that visitors received excellent service throughout their stay.

Looking forward, this remarkable achievement provides momentum for Banyuwangi to further develop its tourism industry. With continuous improvements in service quality and infrastructure, Banyuwangi is poised to become one of Indonesia’s premier tourist destinations. The success of the Eid holiday season in 2025 reflects how tourism can significantly contribute to regional prosperity and community well-being.