The Potential of the Joglosemar Area, Explore Historical and Cultural Tourism

Previously, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf) inaugurated a travel pattern in the area of Borobudur Temple, Central Java called “Borobudur Trail of Civilization (BToC)” with nine sub-themes of activities spread throughout the villages in the Borobudur area. This time, Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf again created a second travel pattern focused on the Joglosemar area: D.I. Yogyakarta (Jogja), Solo, and Semarang.

The plan is for the tourism potential in the Joglosemar area to focus on a storytelling-based tourist route or storynomics tourism called the “Storytelling Historical Trail of Joglosemar.” In other words, this tourist route will take advantage of the Joglosemar area’s strength or potential regarding history and cultural heritage, which UNESCO has designated.

The historical and cultural tourism routes in the Joglosemar area will also prioritize implementing the principles of sustainable tourism destinations and hexahelix collaboration. Thus, the Joglosemar tourist route is expected to offer tourists educational, experiential, and entertaining elements.

In the long term, the Joglosemar tourism map is expected to have a multiplier effect on the tourism sector and the creative economy. Both tourism and creative economy actors aim to boost the national economy by creating 4.4 million jobs in 2024.

Why Joglosemar?

What is interesting about the Joglosemar region? How did the beginning of the Joglosemar Region begin?

The Joglosemar region in Central Java is known as the Golden Triangle and consists of three cities: Jogja, Solo, and Semarang. With a rich development history, it has become a thriving center of economic activity in the heart of Java.

It is important to note that Joglosemar’s tourism potential is not only due to its proximity to the Super Priority Tourism Destination (DPSP), Borobudur Temple. Joglosemar also offers a variety of potentials and advantages in its three regions. For example, Jogja has rich heritage buildings, Solo is closely tied to cultural heritage, and Semarang features historical traces in the old city area. As a result, the Joglosemar area is renowned for its rich historical and cultural tourism offerings in Indonesia.

Photo: Semarang Old Town, a historical tourist attraction in the Joglosemar region (Shutterstock/Martanto Setyo Husodo)

The Potential for Historical and Cultural Tourism in the Joglosemar Region

The concept of the “Storytelling Historical Trail of Joglosemar” is driven by the potential for historical tourism in the central region of Java Island. The Semarang Old Town (Kota Lama Semarang) exemplifies this potential.

The selection of Semarang Old Town as the center of historical tourism in Joglosemar is closely tied to the numerous pieces of history preserved in the capital city of Central Java. As a cultural heritage area, Semarang Old Town boasts a collection of Dutch East Indies heritage buildings that have endured for centuries. The most iconic of these is the Blenduk Church, which still stands as a symbol of Semarang’s Old Town despite being over 250 years old.

Meanwhile, Yogya and Solo are renowned for their rich cultural tourism, which is closely linked to the Yogyakarta Palace, Surakarta Kasunanan Palace, and Pura Mangkunegaran.

Pura Mangkunegaran’s popularity has increased after its recent revitalization. One of the tourist attractions in Pura Mangkunegaran is the Pracima Tuin or Taman Pracima area. In the middle of the beautiful garden is a classic-style restaurant where you can enjoy noble-style cuisine. It will surely provide an unforgettable vacation experience.

If these potentials are well developed, they will become a new tourist attraction in the Joglosemar area.

Cover: One of Solo’s cultural attractions, Pracima Tuin (Shutterstock/Rosmilyar)