78.2% Still Pioneering, Gov't Boosts Tourist Village Transformation

The Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Kemendes PDT) is collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar) to accelerate Strengthening Tourism Villages across Indonesia. This step aims to build a community-based economy by utilizing existing local potential.

"We are working together. The concept must be easy for villages to implement despite their limitations. We will create written and visual guides for better understanding and recognition, along with a RAB (budget plan) so villagers won't be confused. We will later secure the funding," said Deputy Minister of Villages (Wamendes) Ahmad Riza Patria during a meeting with Deputy Minister of Tourism (Wamenpar) Ni Luh Puspa in Jakarta on Thursday.

Village Potential Map, Key to Sustainable Development

Ariza, as Wamendes is known, explained that the concept and syllabus for Tourism Village strengthening will be based on the potential map of each respective village. 

This approach is crucial to ensure effective and efficient collaboration between the two ministries, while guaranteeing each village develops according to its unique characteristics.

Indonesia has 6,189 tourism villages spread from Sabang to Merauke. However, data reveals significant challenges remain. 

Approximately 78.2% of tourism villages are still categorized as fledgling, 16.11% as developing, 5.14% as advanced, and only 0.5% have achieved independent status.

These figures indicate tremendous potential alongside an urgent task.

"National development certainly includes the food sector, but tourism must also be added. If Indonesia wants to progress, those two sectors are paramount," stated Ariza.

In a global landscape increasingly valuing authentic experiences and sustainability, tourism villages answer the trend of community-based tourism. 

Villages offer not just scenery, but also stories, local wisdom, and warm human interaction—something artificial destinations cannot replicate.

Tourism Village Roadmap and the Role of MSMEs

Wamenpar Ni Luh Puspa also expressed anxiety about the predominance of fledgling tourism villages. 

Collaboration with Kemendes PDT is a strategic move to accelerate the transformation of tourism villages towards more focused and sustainable development.

"This year we will create a roadmap for tourism village development, so it can proceed more optimally and directionally. It's not just about tourist sites; there are MSMEs, homestays, and many related aspects. This requires mentoring and strengthening infrastructure facilities," said Wamenpar.

A tourism village is more than building photo spots or Cultural Attraction stages. It's an ecosystem involving MSMEs, homestay managers, Tourism Awareness Groups (Pokdarwis), and village facilitators. 

Even the private sector, with its Business experience, will be involved to strengthen governance and business sustainability.

Social media has become a new weapon in expanding promotional reach. Stories about Hidden Waterfalls or mountain slope coffee from remote villages can now reach international tourists through mobile phone screens.