The number of visitors to Kebun Raya Bogor (Bogor Botanical Gardens) in Bogor, West Java, reportedly reached 10,613 on Tuesday, according to kompas.com.

Upun Punijar, a Bogor Botanical Gardens staff member, said more people visited the garden on New Year’s Day than Christmas and the last days of December.

Upun added that visitors had bought their tickets early in the morning. “Most came in groups or with their families, and the weather was fine.”

He said during the Christmas and New Year holiday, approximately 5,000 people visited the gardens every day. Normally, around 2,500 visit the gardens on national holidays and weekends.

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The gardens recorded more than 6,000 ticket sales on Dec. 23, more than 7,000 on Dec. 24, but there were fewer visitors on Christmas Day.

“There were 5,616 and 46 domestic and foreign visitors, respectively, on Christmas Day,” said Upun. The number of locals reached 3,348 on Dec. 26, while the number of foreign visitors rose slightly to 67 on that day.

The gardens saw a fluctuation in the number of visitors between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. There were 5,871 domestic and 52 foreign visitors on Dec. 27, followed by 4,417 domestic and 29 foreign visitors on Dec. 28. The number surged to 7,324 domestic and 40 foreign visitors on Dec. 29.

Meanwhile, Dec. 30 saw 9,862 domestic and 49 foreign visitors but the number decreased to 6,800 on Monday.

Upun told kompas.com that the gardens were still an alternative destination for holidaying families. Visitors mostly come to enjoy the lush greenery in the heart of Bogor and to have family picnics. They also make use of the facilities at the gardens, like the garden tours that come with a guide.

To help visitors navigate the gardens, there is also the “Jelajah Kebun Raya Bogor” app. Users can find important information and points of interest to visit, as well as the nearest public facilities such as toilets, prayer rooms and places to eat. (mut)