Malang, en.SERU.co.id – Kayutangan Heritage has become a major tourist magnet in Malang City and is increasingly a favorite destination for visitors from Bali. Amid the bustling crowds, the sustainability of thematic heritage tourism is now under the spotlight.
Ni Luh Rosa, a tourist from Gianyar Regency in Bali, admitted she was drawn to Kayutangan Heritage after seeing recommendations on social media. According to her, the area has gained widespread recognition across various digital platforms.
“There are so many great photo spots and cafes to hang out at in Kayutangan. It happens to be trending heavily on social media right now,” Rosa said excitedly on Tuesday night (March 25, 2026).
She added that every time she visits her relatives in Malang, she always makes time to come to Kayutangan Heritage. In her opinion, the area has become an icon amid the surge of thematic tourism villages.
Rosa believes that the management of this thematic tourism must be improved, its heritage value must be preserved, and the area should be promoted more widely. This is crucial to ensure the long-term sustainability of the heritage destination, especially since many thematic tourism areas suddenly go viral but quickly lose their appeal.
“The facilities are already quite good for visitor comfort — the destination map inside is very helpful. However, more public toilets and clearer directional signs are needed so tourists don’t get confused, especially when it’s crowded,” she explained.
Putu Eka Arjaya, a tourist from Singaraja, Bali, echoed similar sentiments. He said he came to Kayutangan Heritage by following the latest tourism trends on TikTok and Instagram.
“Kayutangan Heritage offers an interesting combination of culinary tourism, heritage atmosphere, and aesthetic photo spots. The place is quite clean and well-organized. Even former Minister Sandiaga Uno has visited here,” he said.
Eka added that the cool weather in Malang left a special impression on him, especially when compared to the hotter climate in his hometown in Bali.
However, he acknowledged some challenges, particularly traffic congestion at several points around the area. Fortunately, this can still be managed through the traffic engineering implemented by the Malang City Government.
“The parking building is very helpful, especially for motorbikes. But in the long term, the city needs to provide sufficient parking space for four-wheeled vehicles,” he noted.
On the other hand, Eka also observed an imbalance in visitor distribution within the Kayutangan area. Spots that go viral on social media tend to be packed with visitors, while lesser-known locations remain relatively quiet.
“Viral culinary spots are extremely crowded, with long queues. But there are other places that are still empty because they’re not as well known,” he explained.
Overall, Kayutangan Heritage is considered to have huge potential as a flagship destination in Malang City. Tourists hope that additional supporting facilities and more balanced promotion of various culinary and heritage spots will help the area continue to grow in popularity. (bas/rhd)
