Probolinggo, en.SERU.co.id – The tourism image of Mount Bromo has been damaged by a criminal incident in which seven suitcases containing valuables were stolen from a group of Thai tourists. The theft occurred while their vehicle was parked in the Pendopo area of Sukapura District, Probolinggo Regency, on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Sujay Asmed, Chairman of the East Java chapter of the Indonesian Tour Guides Association (HPI), expressed deep regret over the incident, warning that it could undermine the perceived safety of this world-renowned destination.
“We deeply regret this incident because it will inevitably affect the security image for tourists planning to visit Bromo. As we all know, Bromo is already famous internationally,” Sujay told SERU.co.id.
He confirmed that HPI has coordinated with the East Java Provincial Tourism Office and the Probolinggo Regency Tourism Office to give the case special attention.
Sujay hopes the perpetrators will be swiftly apprehended and public-area security significantly strengthened.
“We hope that in the future, security in parking areas around Bromo—and access routes in general—will be tightened further. Additional CCTV cameras would help prevent such incidents from recurring,” he added.
Sujay also emphasized the critical role of competent professional guides in minimizing risks. He advocated for the use of HPI-certified guides who follow standardized operating procedures (SOP) and embody the principles of Sapta Pesona (Indonesia’s seven pillars of tourism excellence).
With clear job descriptions, guides can ensure better supervision, particularly when drivers remain with parked vehicles.
“When tourists visit Bromo, a driver can stay near the vehicle in the parking area, helping to prevent the loss of visitors’ belongings,” Sujay explained.
Chronology of the Incident
The Thai tour group arrived in a Toyota HiAce minibus. After parking near the Tengger Museum and locking the vehicle to enjoy the Bromo landscape, they returned to find the door had been tampered with and seven suitcases missing from inside.
Umi Subiyantiningsih, Head of the Destination and Tourism Industry Division at Probolinggo Regency’s Youth, Sports, and Tourism Office (Disporapar), confirmed that the case is under active police investigation.
She noted that the incident has become a priority for improvements in tourism infrastructure.
“There is CCTV coverage in the Pendopo area itself, but according to field reports, the affected vehicle was parked along the roadside, specifically beside the Tengger Museum,” Umi stated.
As of this report’s publication, police continue to gather evidence and witness statements to identify and apprehend the perpetrators responsible for undermining visitor safety in the Mount Bromo area.
This incident underscores broader challenges for East Java’s flagship volcanic tourism site: balancing growing international visitation with robust security measures, especially in peripheral parking zones outside direct CCTV surveillance.
Enhanced coordination between guides, drivers, local authorities, and law enforcement—along with infrastructure upgrades—will be essential to restoring confidence among foreign tourists and sustaining Bromo’s status as a safe, must-visit global destination. (dik/mzm)
