Probolinggo

Probolinggo: Gateway to Mount Bromo

For as long as it has been around, the port city of Probolinggo in the northern coast of East Java province has always been an important place for the fishing industry. Its coastal location has also made it the perfect environment for growing various types of fruit. In fact, Probolinggo was once known for its grape production, though these days this 54.67 square kilometer city is better known for its intensely flavorful "manalagi" mangoes. As of 2023, the city has 246,980 inhabitants and a local economy that has tremendously benefited from being the main access point to Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, which houses the famous Mount Bromo, an active volcano that is one of the most visited tourist destinations in East Java.

Yet the city has more to offer than just being a launching point for visiting Mount Bromo. Historic landmarks also abound, like Jabung Temple, a restored Buddhist temple built in 1354, as well as Gereja Merah, a church built in 1862 with a striking red color scheme. Probolinggo Musuem offers visitors an encapsulated history of the city. Probolinggo also offers miles of natural landscapes and destinations like Madakaripura and Kali Pedati waterfalls, or the Bentar Beach with its mangrove forest and whale shark sightings. During post-harvest seasons, visitors can also experience the sight of cattle races at the Kerapan Sapi Brujul field and enjoy this part of the city's intangible cultural heritage.

In the past few years, Probolinggo has experienced tremendous growth that has seen it rebound back from the pandemic.  It grew 4.06 percent in 2021, 6.12 percent in 2022 and 6.04 percent in 2023, after having suffered greatly with -3.64 percent growth at the start of COVID-19 in 2020. Its Gross Domestic Regional Product (GRDP) at current prices in 2023 was Rp 14.30 trillion, with the largest contributors being the wholesale and retail trade industry (at Rp 3.75 trillion or 26.22 percent of all industries), the transportation and storage sector (at Rp 2.30 trillion or 16.09 percent), and the manufacturing sector (at Rp 2.09 trillion or 14.65 percent).