The number of holiday makers from Jakarta arriving in Bandung kept rising since the morning of Thursday, Ascension Day, while the government has declared Friday a day of "collective leave" so that this weekend extends over four consecutive days.
Cars were seen lining up at a toll gate to Bandung as far as three kilometers. Eight toll gates are open at Pasteur to accommodate incoming cars.
"Eight gates have been opened at Pasteur but a long line was still seen there. We have also put a sign at Purbaleunyi calling on motorists to take alternative gates at Buah Batu or Pasirkoja," toll road operator PT Jasa Marga staffer Dedi said.
Based on monitoring 40 to 45 cars entered the Pasteur Toll gates every minute on Thursday.
Among the popular locations for visitors in Bandung are factory outlets on Jalan Cihampelas, Jalan RE Martadinata and Jalan Juanda and culinary centers on Jalan Juanda, Jalan Trunojoyo, Jalan Progo and Jalan Citarum.
The number of visitors is expected to reach a peak on Saturday and Sunday.
The hike in the number of visitors has also increased the occupancy rate of hotels in the city.
"The rate until Thursday has reached 80 to 90 percent. The peak is expected to be on Saturday or Sunday," head of tourism and hotels department of the local chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Momon Abdurahman, said.
Several tourist objects in South Bandung are also expected to attract a lot of tourists.
"There has been a hike in traffic flows though not significantly yet. The peak is expected on Saturday and Sunday," police officer on duty in Ciwedey, chief brigadier Sony said.
He said the Bandung police have deployed its personnel to secure and smoothen the flow of traffic in East Bandung.
"It has become a standard operating procedure for us to always stand by especially at a long holiday at Nagreg which is the access road to Bandung from Priangan and Central Java," Bandung chief traffic police Adjunct Commissioner Eka Permatasari.
(T.S033/Uu.H-YH/HAJM/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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