Borobudur Temple has been standing tall for thousands of years. This cultural heritage has also become one of the popular tourist attractions in Indonesia, both for local and foreign tourists. In one day, the building of the temple must support up to tens of thousands of tourists per day. In fact, with the age of the temple getting older, the problem of sustainability began to be considered. One solution that can be done for this problem is to implement physical carrying capacity. 

In one interpretation, physical carrying capacity is the maximum limit for tourists who come to a tourist location. Physical carrying capacity is usually used to determine thresholds related to environmental changes and disturbances that may occur in a tourist spot. 

“The calculation of the physical carrying capacity of Borobudur Temple actually started in 2006, even research and data collection has been carried out since 2003 and became part of the recommendations of research results at that time. Efforts to regulate visitors in visitor management are also one of the recommendations from UNESCO's 2006 reactive monitoring results," said Bramantara as Chair of the Borobudur Temple Maintenance Working Group/Borobudur Conservation Agency.

Bramantara continued, the essence of physical carrying capacity is not only about maintenance, but how this application can strengthen and improve the visitor experience. Physical carrying capacity then becomes a research product in accordance with UNESCO's recommendations. So, physical carrying capacity is applied to regulate the number of visitors at a certain time within one day. 

"Actually, the maximum limit for Borobudur Temple has been set, which is 1,259 people per day. However, what happens on the field is different. During the peak season, such as the Idul Fitri holiday, there have been 55,000 visitors who come to Borobudur Temple in one day. We estimate that half of them go up to the top of the temple. From that estimate alone, it is certain that Borobudur Temple is 'overloaded'," continued Bramantara. 

There are four indicators in the implementation of physical carrying capacity. The first is the calculation of the area. Second, the calculation of the number of visits per day and per hour. The third is the length of visit and the fourth is the visitor rotation factor. 

“In the context of physical carrying capacity, in the end we also have to do the classification. Borobudur Temple is a place for educational tourism, historical tourism, and a place for religious rituals," added Bramantara.

For this reason, the implementation of physical carrying capacity has a clear urgency in the context of visitor management. Especially in the context of sustainable cultural tourism to support aspects of sustainability which can also have an impact on quality tourism.

Landscape of tourists in Borobudur Temple, new policies about physical carrying capacity is applied to set the maximum limit of visits within one day. (Photo: shutterstock/triononofi).

“Of course the implementation of this physical carrying capacity will not be separated from how temple visitors can feel the extraordinary universal value (OUV) ) in doing thematic tourism, which is getting the interpretation values ​​they get from the guides," said Bramantara. 

The level of damage to Borobudur Temple has been monitored since the completion of the second restoration (1973-19883) and research on the factors causing the damage has also been carried out by the Borobudur Conservation Center, including matters relating to visitor management (visitor management) which has also been investigated since 2003. The most common consequences of visitors are vandalism, damage from chewing gum, and wear and tear on the stairs because they are often passed by tourists. Until now, the maximum wear that has occurred on the stone has reached 5 cm. 

"If things that damage the sustainability of Borobudur Temple are not immediately addressed, it can be ascertained that within a few years the worn parts will run out because they cannot be repaired," continued Bramantara. 

The importance of physical carrying capacity can have a sustainable impact on temple buildings and is related to quality tourism. Bramantara said the preservation of the temple is also supported by routine maintenance from the manager. The implementation of physical carrying capacity also needs socialization so that tourists understand the reasons for this arrangement. 

“First, as a world heritage site, this regulation of the number of visitors can support aspects of the maintenance condition so that the temple material can last a long time. Second, visitors have the opportunity to experience and understand the essence of Borobudur Temple better because they get enough space when walking around," explained Bramantara. 

For the success of implementing physical carrying capacity, Bramantara hopes for the involvement of stakeholders in the socialization process. Of course, good public communication is needed so that related parties and the public understand that this is done for the sake of preserving Borobudur Temple.  

"The thing that needs to be conveyed to the public is that the implementation of physical carrying capacity is carried out by looking at two things, preservation and utilization. Of course, it is not easy and there will be many pros and cons. However, in my opinion, we just need to get used to and understand the community so that the splendor of Borobudur Temple can be passed onto the next generation," said Bramantara.

Cover: Beautiful Landscape of Borobudur Temple in the morning. (Photo: shutterstock/pambudiyogaperdana).