RRI.CO.ID, Semarang -The Central Java Provincial Administration, in collaboration with the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, is intensifying efforts to establish Borobudur and three neighboring temples in Central Java as the premier center for world religious tourism.

During a meeting in Semarang on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, officials focused on renewing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the utilization of Borobudur, Prambanan, Mendut, and Pawon temples.

The primary objective of the renewed agreement is to strengthen these sites as active places of worship for Hindu and Buddhist communities worldwide, while simultaneously driving sustainable tourism. Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen, popularly known as Gus Yasin, emphasized that the new agreement must be more implementable and provide greater ease for religious activities.

“We are pushing for this MoU to be extended. We also discussed various things that can advance tourism in these four temples,” Gus Yasin said during the visit from the Coordinating Ministry team, as quoted by Antara.

Gus Yasin urged the central government to look beyond the main zones of Borobudur. He suggested integrating other historic temples in the region, such as those in Tawangmangu (Karanganyar) and Wonosobo, into a unified national tourism promotion package. This strategy aims to create a more comprehensive narrative for Central Java on the international stage.

The Deputy Governor noted that these opportunities are bolstered by the return of international flights at Jenderal Ahmad Yani International Airport in Semarang. Direct routes from Singapore and Malaysia are now operational, significantly reducing travel time for religious pilgrims and international tourists.

One specific area of growth identified during the meeting is the Thai market. Data from site managers indicates a strong trend of Thai parents encouraging the younger generation to embark on spiritual journeys to Borobudur.

Assistant Deputy for Tourism Development at the Coordinating Ministry, Herfan Brilianto Mursabdo, praised Central Java's proactive stance. He explained that the central government's focus is to harmonize religious activities with the preservation of cultural heritage and the improvement of local welfare.

“The global market share for Hindu-Buddhist religious and pilgrimage tourism is very large. Our focus going forward is to ensure that Borobudur and its surroundings truly provide real benefits for the people's economy,” Herfan concluded. ***