The Kediri Regency Government is finalizing preparations to revive the hot spring tourist destination in the Mount Kelud area. This natural tourism area, which was once a regional icon, has been closed for more than a decade following the major eruption of Mount Kelud back in 2014.
The Head of the Kediri Regency Tourism and Culture Office, Mustika Prayitno Adi, explained that this step is part of the acceleration of regional tourism development. The policy also follows up on instructions from the Regent of Kediri, Hanindhito Himawan Pramana, who requested the optimization of tourism potential around Kelud and Wilis to stimulate the local economy.
As an initial step, the relevant agency together with the Ngancar District Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimcam) and the local tourism community have directly inspected the location to map out the potential and ensure the feasibility of the terrain. Based on the survey results, the natural attraction of the Kelud hot spring is considered to still be very high and has the potential to attract both returning and new tourists.
Nevertheless, visitor safety remains the top priority. The local government is currently focusing on assessing the feasibility of the access road infrastructure. Given that tourists must walk for about 30 minutes from the main parking pocket to the hot spring point, the feasibility and safety of the trekking trail must be ensured before it is officially opened to the public.
The reactivation of this legendary destination is expected to not only restore Mount Kelud's image as East Java's mainstay tourism magnet, but also make a real contribution to increasing Local Genuine Income (PAD) and the welfare of the community around the mountain slopes.
