Yogyakarta recorded a strong rebound in tourism during the 2025 Christmas and 2026 New Year holiday period, with visitor numbers and economic activity exceeding expectations. Data from the Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) Tourism Office shows that a total of 2.27 million tourists visited the province throughout the festive season, reinforcing its position as one of Indonesia’s most popular holiday destinations.
Head of the DIY Tourism Office Imam Pratanadi said the figure represented a 50.4 percent increase compared with the same period a year earlier, when tourist arrivals reached about 1.51 million. He noted that Yogyakarta continued to stand out as a preferred destination for family travel during the year-end holidays.
“Yogyakarta once again proved to be a favorite domestic holiday destination during Christmas and New Year 2025–2026,” Imam said, as quoted by Antara.
In terms of regional distribution, Yogyakarta City recorded the highest number of visitors with 946,191 arrivals, followed by Sleman Regency with 729,673 visitors. Gunungkidul Regency attracted 339,430 tourists, while Bantul welcomed 168,896, and Kulon Progo logged 73,430 visitors.
Popular attractions varied across regions. In Bantul, Parangtritis Beach and Depok Beach drew the largest crowds, followed by Baru Beach, Pandansimo Beach, and Goa Cemara. Gunungkidul’s most visited sites included Baron Beach, Watu Lumbung–Watugupit, and Gesing Beach. Meanwhile, tourists in Kulon Progo were concentrated at Glagah Beach, Congot Beach, and Sermo Reservoir.
Urban attractions also played a key role. In Yogyakarta City, Gembira Loka Zoo, Taman Pintar science park, and the Keraton complex ranked among the most visited sites. Sleman’s tourism traffic remained centered around Kaliadem, Prambanan Temple, and the Kaliurang area.
According to Imam, the surge in visitor numbers was driven by improved destination branding, better service quality, and ongoing tourism product innovation. Enhanced infrastructure and easier transport access also helped facilitate tourist movement across the province. He added that hotel occupancy rates—both star-rated and budget accommodations—reached around 80 percent during the peak holiday period.
Cash Circulation Reached USD 225 Million
The economic impact was particularly visible in Yogyakarta City, where tourism-driven cash circulation during the holidays was estimated at USD 225 million. A survey conducted by the city administration recorded 1.17 million tourist movements between December 20, 2025, and January 4, 2026.
“During that period, we recorded more than one million tourist movements, with the total reaching 1,167,613,” said Yogyakarta City Tourism Office head Wahyu Hendratmoko, as reported by JogloNews. He described the results as exceeding initial expectations and signaling a solid recovery for the city’s tourism sector.
The survey also found that average tourist spending reached around USD 200, while the average length of stay stood at 2-3 days. Wahyu said these indicators reflected a strong foundation for tourism growth heading into 2026, adding that policies such as restrictions on fireworks during New Year’s Eve did not negatively affect visitor numbers.
With rising arrivals, healthy spending levels, and sustained interest in cultural and nature-based attractions, Yogyakarta appears well positioned to maintain its momentum as a leading tourism hub in the year ahead.
Source: Antara, Kumparan, JogloNews
Photo Credit: Official Website Dinas Pariwisata Gunungkidul
