Magelang regency has been expanding its tourism sector by developing the Transito Hotel and Convention Borobudur since 2020 with an investment worth IDR 298.52 billion, according to the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).
Magelang is a regency in Central Java province, Indonesia. The regency is famous for its 9th-century Borobudur Buddhest temple historical site. Magelang regency capital is in Mungkid. In 2020, the regency had a population of 1,299,859 inhabitants with an area of 1,085.73 square kilometers.
The BKPM was established in 1973. Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has served as the board’s chairman since 2021. BKPM is a government institution that deals with investment projects nationwide and is responsible for implementing policies regarding investments and coordinating projects in Indonesia.
Expanding MICE business
Magelang will develop the Transito Hotel and Convention Borobudur. The 4-star hotel will focus on meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition (MICE) with 216 room accommodation, convention hall, shopping arcade, lounge, restaurants, roof cafe, wellness center, swimming pool and other facilities.
The project is located strategically in the heart of Magelang city, near Mount Tidar. The location is 15 minutes from the magnificent Borobudur Temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and around 1.5-hour driving from both the Yogyakarta International Airport and from Semarang city through the Yogakarta-Bawen toll road, which is under construction and is slated to finish by 2023.
The hotel and convention center project is targeted to be the driving force to connect potential around the Borobudur site, whether it is in the form of arts, local culture, nature, culinary, featured products and others. The project is also will be the center-bed of the conference center on national and international defense strategy cooperation with the Ministry of Defense.
Natural disaster risks
Despite the potential, Magelang regency is prone to natural disaster risks. Magelang Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) recorded 574 cases of catastrophe during 2021, including erosion, strong winds, drought and wildfires.
“The biggest disasters are landslides, strong winds and fires. Meanwhile, the drought has been resolved,” Head of BPDP Edi Warsono said on January 12, 2022. The BPDP has also imposed the Early Warning System (EWS) throughout the Magelang Regency.
There is also a major potential risk such as the Mount Merapi – an active stratovolcano located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta.
According to Magelang Regent Singgih Sanyoto, the eruption of Mount Merapi is small but the level of danger is quite high due to hot clouds of volcanic ash that can endanger the people living on the slope of the mount. The latest deadliest Mount Merapi eruption took place in late October to early November 2010, killing 353 people.
