In the enchanting city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia and Thailand are embarking on a captivating journey of collaboration, weaving the threads of sustainable tourism and shared Buddhist heritage into a rich tapestry of cultural diplomacy. This endeavor aims to uplift local communities and safeguard sacred sites, and it took center stage at the “Waisak di Borobudur 2025” celebration on May 12 at the awe-inspiring Borobudur Temple in Central Java. Co-organized by InJourney, Indonesia’s state-owned tourism enterprise, and Walubi, the Federation of Buddhist Organizations, this event brought together monks, officials, and tourism luminaries from across Southeast Asia.
Even as pesky challenges like the dearth of direct flights from Bangkok to Yogyakarta persist, officials remain undeterred. They are optimistic that the shared love for Buddhism and eco-tourism can forge a platform for enduring collaboration. “Thailand and Indonesia are connected by more than just religious ties; we share profoundly common values,” enthused Ms. Febrina Intan, director of the Borobudur Tourist Park. “We have an incredible opportunity to uplift local economies and preserve our sacred heritage through sustainable tourism.”
At the heart of Indonesia’s shift towards sustainable tourism is the breathtaking Borobudur, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest Buddhist monument on the globe. Beyond its ancient stone stupas adorned with countless Buddha statues, Borobudur is being championed as a spiritual haven, transcending its status as a mere tourist hotspot. To preserve this sacred treasure for generations to come, TWCB has implemented a daily visitor cap of 1,200, with a maximum of 150 souls per entry.
“We’re taking strides to protect the temple by enforcing daily visitor limits, encouraging pilgrims to don Upanat—eco-friendly footwear crafted by local artisans—and introducing 100% electric vehicles in surrounding areas,” Ms. Intan explained. “This initiative isn’t just about the visitor count; it’s about each step we take being in the right direction.”
This noble pursuit aligns beautifully with Thailand’s history of spiritual tourism and heritage stewardship. As a predominantly Buddhist nation, Thailand has honed its own approach to mindfulness-based tourism. Ms. Intan envisions that Thai expertise in Buddhist meditation and community involvement could enrich Borobudur’s evolution. “Thai instructors could lead mindfulness activities here, while Indonesians can glean insights from Thailand’s spiritual tourism management,” she suggested. “It’s a mutual exchange of wisdom and goodwill.”
Beyond the hallowed temple grounds, Borobudur’s vibrant new market hub, Kampung Seni, now accommodates nearly 2,000 vendors who once thrived in the monument’s vicinity. This move aims to create cleaner surroundings and improve local livelihoods. Sustainable tourism, as envisioned here, is not only about preserving global heritage but also about empowering the people who safeguard it.
In a quiet yet powerful testament to Thailand-Indonesia relations, religious collaboration has long been a steadfast cornerstone. Phra Dhammavuddho Thera, affectionately known as Phra Victor Kusuma, vice chairman of Indonesia’s National Vesak Committee, reminisced about the Thai monastics who laid the groundwork for Theravada Buddhism in Indonesia. “In the 20th century, Somdej Phra Yannasangwara, the Thai Supreme Patriarch, sent monks to Indonesia. Today, over 200 ordained Indonesians and approximately 500 temples belong to the Dhammayut sect,” he recounted.
Ordained at Wat Debsirindrawas in Bangkok, Phra Victor emphasized the enduring bond between Thai and Indonesian monastics. Thai monks continue to offer guidance and ordain in Indonesia, while academic partnerships flourish between our nations. The recently unveiled PhD program in Global Buddhism—a collaborative effort between Indonesia’s Nalada Institute and Thailand’s Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep—represents a promising step toward a shared Buddhist academic future.
However, despite a shared vision and growing interest—particularly among Thai pilgrims yearning for a spiritual sojourn at Borobudur—logistical hurdles remain. The absence of direct flights between Thailand and Yogyakarta remains a challenge. Maya Watano, director of InJourney, acknowledged this issue. “We’re collaborating with airlines to establish routes via Jakarta or Bali. Yet, we’re witnessing an increasing influx of Thai visitors for Vesak, prompting us to launch a dedicated spiritual travel package tailored to Thai tourists soon.”
Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Creative Economy, Irene Umar, offered assurances that the government is devoted to resolving connectivity challenges. “Our transport and infrastructure ministers are on board, working hand in hand with the ministries of culture, religion, and tourism to support this vision.”
For both nations, the journey ahead transcends mere geography, delving into the realm of the spiritual. As Ms. Intan so eloquently stated, “This venture isn’t just about tourism or Buddhism; it’s about forging beautiful stories together and leaving an indelible impact on our world.”
I think it’s amazing how Indonesia and Thailand are collaborating on sustainable tourism and preserving Buddhist heritage. This is a win-win situation that benefits both countries!
Definitely! But I wonder if the limited number of tourists to Borobudur will affect the local economy negatively. Striking the right balance is crucial.
That’s a good point, but the long-term preservation of the site should outweigh short-term financial benefits. Plus, sustainable tourism can create new opportunities.
Eco-friendly footwear and electric vehicles sound like a great idea! But will people actually respect these rules?
What’s the point of all this when there are logistical issues like the lack of direct flights? Until that’s fixed, all this talk of collaboration seems pointless.
That’s a fair concern, but fixing infrastructure takes time. Meanwhile, enhancing local tourism and spiritual connection shouldn’t be underestimated.
True, but isn’t accessibility a top priority? Without it, these initiatives can’t reach their full potential.
I’m thrilled to see cultural diplomacy in action! This will not only strengthen economic ties but also promote a global understanding of Buddhism.
What do they mean by ‘uplifting local communities’? These initiatives often overlook the real needs of locals in favor of attracting tourists.
Exactly. Sometimes such projects displace more locals than they benefit. I’d love to see clear data on how locals are benefiting.
Agreed, sustainable tourism should genuinely help communities thrive, not just create the image of doing so.
Will this increase in tourism integrate mindfulness practices into the daily lives of both locals and visitors? It sounds beneficial.
I hope so. Mindfulness tourism could really enrich the personal experiences of tourists and teach valuable lessons in sustainability.
Yes, and if done right, it could also extend beyond tourism to impact daily community life positively.
Would have been great to attend the Waisak celebration at Borobudur. Such events must be an incredible mix of spirituality and culture!
How are we ensuring that the religious collaboration is balanced and not one-sided?
Thai expertise in mindfulness could be a game changer for both countries. But let’s not ignore the potential for cultural appropriation issues.
It’s encouraging to see academic partnerships like the PhD program in Global Buddhism.
Love the eco-friendly initiatives. Electric vehicles could be a game changer for tourism at heritage sites.
The historical ties between these countries make this collaboration even more meaningful.
While ties between Indonesia and Thailand sound great on paper, it’ll be interesting to see whether they actually follow through with these ambitious plans.
Skepticism is understandable, but the groundwork is there. The mutual benefits can drive real commitment.
Spiritual tourism sounds nice, but we must ensure it does not turn sacred spaces into commercialized tourist traps.
Maybe they should focus less on tourism for economic gain and more on preserving these sites for historical significance.
I agree with moving vendors to Kampung Seni. Overcrowding is detrimental to both the monument and visitor experience.
Not sure how cultural diplomacy meshes with tourism. Aren’t we just commercializing everything in the name of ‘spiritual tourism’?
Do visitors really care about sustainability or is it just a trend to boost tourism?