Tourist Visits to Penglipuran Village Jump 42% During Galungan

TheIndonesia.co - Visitor numbers at Penglipuran Tourism Village in Bangli rose by 42% during this year’s Galungan holiday compared to six months ago.

The head of the Penglipuran Tourism Village Management, Wayan Sumiarsa, said in Denpasar on Friday that the surge was driven by the strong interest of both domestic and international tourists wanting to witness the local religious ceremonies during Galungan.

“There was an overall increase of 42% compared to the previous Galungan, with international tourists up by 15% and domestic tourists up by 40%,” he explained, as quoted from Antara News Agency.

At its peak on Wednesday, April 23, over 5,000 people visited, compared to around 2,000 during the same period previously.

Wayan also noted that this figure was higher than the daily average of 3,000 visits throughout April.

“The village atmosphere decorated with penjor—bamboo poles adorned for the holiday—is a major attraction for both local and international tourists who want to experience the Galungan spirit,” said Wayan.

During the peak of the celebration, the local community also performed Ngerebeg, a traditional parade that circles the village and draws many visitors.

Innovations by the younger generation, such as beautifully designed penjor, creative performances, and the use of scenic village areas like the bamboo forest, added to the appeal and contributed to the spike in visits during the holiday.

Recognizing this potential, villagers have worked together to promote tourism while preserving their traditions and culture.

To make the most of this tourism opportunity, villagers are not only showcasing the main Galungan religious ceremonies but also holding daily performances like Ngelawang, a roaming barong dance staged by the youth.

This special tradition, usually performed during Galungan and Kuningan, attracted not only tourists from outside Bali but also Balinese locals—evidenced by the fact that 50% of visitors on Thursday, April 24, were Balinese celebrating Umanis Galungan.

Wayan predicts visitor numbers will continue to rise through to the end of Kuningan on Saturday, May 3, 2025, as Bali enters a peak period for educational tourism.

“School groups from outside Bali have already started coming to Penglipuran to learn about the culture and traditions, and based on travel agency reports, we expect high visitor numbers through May,” he concluded.