InJourney Supports Prambanan Temple Conservation, Strengthens Indonesia–India Collaboration in World-Class Cultural Tourism

Yogyakarta, July 8, 2026 – PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia (Persero), or InJourney, welcomes the collaboration between the Government of Indonesia and the Government of India in the conservation and restoration program of Prambanan Temple as an important milestone in strengthening cultural diplomacy and preserving world heritage. Prambanan Temple stands as clear evidence of the close friendship between Indonesia and India. The two state leaders, President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, visited the temple on Wednesday, July 8.

During the visit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that The Prambanan Temple is a place that reflects the shared cultural heritage of India and Indonesia. “The cultural heritage of this nation reminds us of the fragrance of the cultural heritage we have in India. It is this cultural heritage that unites our two countries. For more than 1,200 years, the people of this country have preserved this cultural heritage with commitment, perseverance, and dedication,” Modi said.

The visit of the two leaders to Prambanan Temple marks a historic milestone in Indonesia–India relations. It also reflects both countries’ commitment to preserving world cultural heritage through a long-term conservation program.

The conservation program will be carried out through the restoration of 224 perwara, or ancillary temples, within the Prambanan Temple complex. This conservation effort will adopt a scientific approach, including archaeological research, digital documentation, AI-based reconstruction, knowledge exchange, and capacity building in conservation between the two countries.

InJourney, as the state-owned holding company for the aviation and tourism sectors and the parent company of Prambanan Temple’s operator, InJourney Destination Management (IDM), views this collaboration as being aligned with the company’s mission to develop world-class destinations through cultural preservation, strengthened international collaboration, and the creation of sustainable economic and social benefits.

This collaboration is not only an effort to preserve one of the world’s most valuable cultural heritage sites, but also a symbol of the strong friendship between Indonesia and India that has existed for centuries. This historical connection is clearly reflected in Prambanan Temple, the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and one of the world’s greatest masterpieces of Shiva Hindu architecture. Built in the 9th century during the Ancient Mataram Kingdom, Prambanan has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.

President Director of InJourney, Maya Watono, said the collaboration demonstrates how cultural heritage can serve as an effective medium to strengthen relations between nations while creating broader benefits for Indonesia’s tourism sector. “This momentum is part of efforts to strengthen Indonesia’s nation branding as a world-class cultural destination that is able to manage cultural heritage sustainably through international partnerships. We are optimistic and warmly welcome this collaboration, which will increase Indonesia’s attractiveness, particularly in the Indian market with its population of 1.4 billion people, while also encouraging the growth of quality inbound tourism. Ultimately, cultural heritage preservation must deliver tangible benefits to communities through job creation, the growth of MSMEs and the creative economy, as well as improved welfare for communities surrounding the destination,” Maya said.

Head of the Museum and Cultural Heritage Agency (MCB), Esti Nurjadin, as the asset owner of the Prambanan Temple Complex, emphasized that the conservation collaboration between Indonesia and India will be carried out while preserving the values that make Prambanan a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“All work will prioritize authenticity, integrity, and a scientific approach. In addition, the success of this collaboration will not only be measured by the number of ancillary temples conserved, but also by the increased capacity of Indonesian conservators, the development of science-based conservation practices, and the preservation of Prambanan’s world heritage values,” Esti said.

In line with this, President Director of InJourney Destination Management, Febrina Intan, said that since being designated in 2022 as a center of worship for Hindus in Indonesia and around the world, the area is no longer viewed merely as a tourist attraction or archaeological site, but also as a space for cultural diplomacy, spirituality, education, and international cooperation that brings together various countries in the spirit of preserving world heritage.

India is one of the potential markets for Indonesian tourism. Data on foreign tourist visits to the Prambanan Temple area shows that visitors from India average nearly 4,000 per year. This indicates that there remains significant room for market growth through stronger promotion and bilateral cooperation.

“The momentum of the Indian Prime Minister’s visit is expected to serve as a catalyst for increasing the interest of Indian tourists in visiting Indonesia, particularly Prambanan Temple. We hope the acceleration of the restoration of the Prambanan area will further strengthen the appeal of this destination in the eyes of the world, especially for Indian tourists who have strong historical and cultural ties to the area,” she said.

As one of Indonesia’s national tourism icons, Prambanan Temple attracts around 2.4 million domestic and international tourist visits each year, making it one of the most sought-after heritage destinations in Indonesia. This strong interest shows that Prambanan is not only a cultural asset, but also a strategic asset in strengthening Indonesia’s competitiveness at the global level. Through this collaboration, Prambanan is expected to support quality tourism, extend tourists’ length of stay, and expand cooperation in the fields of tourism, culture, and the creative economy.