Holiday crowds poured into Banyuwangi during the long weekend for the Ascension of Jesus Christ holiday, turning the East Java destination into one of the busiest travel spots in the country. Tourist attractions saw packed crowds, hotel rooms quickly disappeared, and thousands of travelers arrived to spend their break exploring the region’s natural attractions.
The latest figures show just how significant the travel wave became. Throughout the four-day holiday period from May 14 to May 17, 2026, Banyuwangi welcomed a total of 47,478 visitors from both Indonesia and overseas.
According to data from the Banyuwangi Culture and Tourism Office, domestic travelers made up the largest portion of arrivals. A total of 46,685 domestic tourists visited the area, while another 793 visitors came from abroad.
Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani expressed gratitude that the region continues to attract large numbers of tourists.
“Alhamdulillah, we are grateful that Banyuwangi continues to be a destination of choice for tourists spending their holidays. Thank you to everyone who continues working together to maintain and improve tourism in Banyuwangi. This motivates us all to keep providing comfortable and safe travel experiences for everyone,” Ipuk said on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
The long holiday period created heavy activity across almost every tourist destination in Banyuwangi. Visitor numbers surged in nature attractions, beaches, and recreational areas. At the same time, hotels and accommodations reported extremely high occupancy levels.
One of the most visited attractions during the holiday was De Djawatan Forest. The destination, famous for its massive rain trees that are believed to be hundreds of years old, attracted 7,266 visitors.
The forest has become a favorite stop for travelers because of its peaceful atmosphere, shaded landscape, and photo opportunities. Visitors also come to enjoy the cooler air beneath the giant trees.
Another major attraction during the holiday period was Red Island Beach. The destination, known for its beautiful sunset views, welcomed 5,636 visitors.
Other tourist sites also recorded strong numbers. Marina Boom Beach attracted 4,965 visitors. Ijen Crater received 3,297 visitors, while Mustika Beach welcomed 2,869 tourists.
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The tourism wave was not limited to natural destinations outside the city center. Tourist attractions located in urban areas also experienced significant increases in visitor traffic.
Acting Head of Banyuwangi’s Culture and Tourism Office Hartono said Banyuwangi Park became one of the busy attractions during the long weekend.
“For example, Banyuwangi Park located in the city center was crowded with tourists. We recorded 4,050 visitors during the long weekend. This number could still increase because the attraction remains open until later this afternoon,” Hartono said.
The surge in arrivals also directly affected the hospitality sector. Hotels and accommodations across Banyuwangi reported sharp increases in room occupancy during the holiday period, with several reaching maximum capacity.
Aston Banyuwangi Hotel & Conference Center said its rooms had been fully booked long before the holiday started, particularly on May 14 and May 15.
“Occupancy increased to 100 percent. All rooms were fully booked on May 14 and 15. Most of the guests came from outside the city,” said Sales Manager Sari.
Villa Solong experienced a similar situation. The accommodation, which offers scenic views of the Bali Strait, also saw a sharp rise in occupancy during the holiday period.
“From May 14 to 16, all rooms were fully occupied. All of our guests came from outside the city, including Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bali. Most of them came specifically for a holiday in Banyuwangi,” said Villa Solong Executive Marketing representative Imam Solehan.
The latest holiday figures suggest Banyuwangi continues strengthening its position as one of Indonesia’s increasingly popular tourism destinations. The combination of beaches, forests, volcanic landscapes, and city attractions appears to keep drawing travelers looking for different experiences during long breaks.
