KBRN, Yogyakarta: Tourist arrivals in Malioboro, Yogyakarta’s iconic shopping street, began to climb on December 19, 2025, as the Christmas and New Year holidays approached. Crowds became visible over the weekend, although the impact on shopping activity has not yet been fully felt.

“We assume the Christmas and New Year holidays run from December 22 to January 4, but data from December 19 to 22 already shows an increase,” said Fitria Dyah Anggraeni, head of the Integrated Service Unit (UPT) for the Management of the Yogyakarta City Cultural Heritage Agency, at her office on Tuesday, December 23.

She explained that Malioboro, as an open area with multiple entrances and no ticketing system, cannot provide precise visitor counts. Monitoring is instead conducted at specific points, including Teras Malioboro (Malioboro Terrace).

“Last year, according to Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) data, around 500,000 visitors were recorded during the two-week Christmas and New Year holiday. Meanwhile, last weekend alone, visits to Teras Malioboro averaged between 10,000 and 15,000 people per day,” she said.

Tourists said they came to Malioboro to enjoy the atmosphere. Novia, a visitor from Surabaya, explained that her trip had been planned before the holiday season, with the main goal of experiencing Malioboro’s ambience.

“I had intended to visit Malioboro before the holidays. I miss the atmosphere here. It feels more organized now than it used to be,” she said.

Business owners, however, reported that the rise in tourist numbers has not yet translated into higher sales. Yati, a beverage vendor, said the Christmas season remained relatively calm, with crowds typically peaking on weekends and during New Year’s celebrations.

To maintain order and preserve the area amid the surge in visitors, the Cultural Heritage Area Management Unit deployed 190 Jogomaton officers working in three 24-hour shifts.

Jogomaton officers, recognizable by their cultural uniforms, are tasked with ensuring safety and comfort and providing courteous service to tourists along the Yogyakarta Philosophy Axis.

Joint patrols involving multiple agencies have also been intensified throughout the holiday period, with surveillance focused on Malioboro, the Zero Kilometer Point, and Mangkubumi Street. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)