Table of Contents
- 0.1 Minister Highlights Sustainable Tourism
- 0.2 Les Village: A Beacon of Ecotravel
- 0.3 Celebrating Excellence in Tourism
- 0.4 The Impact of Recognition
- 1 Demonstrated to visitors, providing an immersive experience that educates them about traditional methods and local culture. This attraction has led to increased visitor numbers, boosting local businesses and creating job opportunities for residents, ultimately fostering economic growth in the village.
Les Village in Bali Named Best Tourism Village at ADWI 2024
Bali’s Les Village has been recognized as the best tourism village at the prestigious Indonesia Tourism Village Award (ADWI) 2024, showcasing its commitment to sustainability and heritage tourism. The award ceremony took place on November 17, 2024, at the Teater Tanah Airku Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in Jakarta, marking a significant achievement for this unique destination.
Minister Highlights Sustainable Tourism
Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana emphasized that ADWI 2024 operates under the theme “Divine Tourism Towards Classy World Green Tourism.” In her address, she expressed optimism about the future, stating, “This is part of our grand vision for tourism villages to grow into self-sustaining tourism entities that can compete globally.” The initiative aims to increase visitor numbers to tourism villages by a target of 30% annually, positioning them as crucial players in Indonesia’s economic growth.
Les Village: A Beacon of Ecotravel
Les Village stands out as the sole tourism village from Bali to make the top 50 list of ADWI 2024. Nestled in the Tejakula District of Buleleng Regency, it is strategically located between breathtaking mountains and serene beaches, offering a wide range of activities for visitors. The village is renowned for its natural attractions, including the Yeh Mampeh and Yeh Anakan waterfalls, as well as its stunning coral reefs that attract divers from around the globe.
The selection committee for ADWI 2024, led by Jury Chairman Ari Suhandi, praised Les Village for excelling across all assessment categories. “They take coral reef monitoring seriously, collaborating with institutions for coral reef restoration while establishing groups that financially benefit the community,” Ari noted after the awards ceremony.
One unique aspect that contributed to the village’s successful evaluation is its traditional salt production. Les Village produces “palungan salt,” which is meticulously created using coconut tree trunks as drying fields. “The salt production has become a tourist attraction, with exports extending even to Japan,” Ari added.
Celebrating Excellence in Tourism
The ADWI 2024 recognized numerous other tourism villages across various categories, reflecting the diversity and quality of Indonesia’s rural tourism offerings. This year, an impressive 6,016 tourism villages registered for the award. The rigorous selection process saw this number narrowed down, with independent jurors filtering down to the top 500, then 300, 100, and finally, the top 50.
Winners by Category:
Tourism Village Attractions:
- Batu Lintang Tourism Village, Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan
- Cemaga Tengah Tourism Village, Natuna, Riau Islands
- Tiworiwu Tourism Village (Megalithic Village of Bena), Ngada, East Nusa Tenggara
Amenities:
- Wanurejo Tourism Village, Magelang, Central Java
- Aik Berik Tourism Village, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara
- Landorundun Tourism Village, North Toraja, South Sulawesi
Digital:
- Gunungsari Tourism Village, Madiun, East Java
- Danau Diateh – Alahan Panjang Tourism Village, Solok, West Sumatra
- Derawan Island Tourism Village, Berau, East Kalimantan
Resilience:
- Gunung Prau Charm Tourism Village, Wonosobo, Central Java
- Pramuka Island Tourism Village, Thousand Islands, DKI Jakarta
- Amping Parak Tourism Village, South Coastal, West Sumatra
Institutions and Human Resources:
- Krebet Tourism Village, Bantul, Yogyakarta
- Osing Kemiren Customary Tourism Village, Banyuwangi, East Java
- Sibandang Island Tourism Village, North Tapanuli, North Sumatra
The Impact of Recognition
The recognition of Les Village not only serves to elevate its status within Indonesia’s tourism sector but also promises to bolster local economies by attracting more visitors. With the support of both local and international collaborations, the village stands poised to enhance its sustainable tourism practices, thus ensuring the preservation of its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.
By showcasing the unique aspects of their tourism offerings, other villages can draw valuable lessons from Les Village’s approach to ecotourism, community engagement, and cultural preservation.
As interest in eco-friendly and sustainable travel solutions grows, Les Village serves as a model for how a community can leverage its unique attributes to thrive in a competitive international tourism market.
What are your thoughts on the rising trend of sustainable tourism in villages like Les? Share your ideas and experiences in the comments below!
For those interested in more insights into travel and technology related to sustainable practices, be sure to check out our related articles.
Demonstrated to visitors, providing an immersive experience that educates them about traditional methods and local culture. This attraction has led to increased visitor numbers, boosting local businesses and creating job opportunities for residents, ultimately fostering economic growth in the village.
Welcome to World Today News interview series! Today, we are pleased to have with us Ms. Nengah Suastita and Mr. Ari Suhandi, the Head of Tourism Village Development, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and Jury Chairman for the Indonesia Tourism Village Award (ADWI) 2024, respectively. Gentlemen, thank you for joining us today.
Interviewer: Ms. Suastita, as the Head of Tourism Village Development at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, what initiatives are you taking to promote sustainable tourism in rural areas like Les Village, which recently won the prestigious ADWI 2024 award?
Nengah Suastita: Thank you for having us. Our primary initiative is to encourage the development of community-based ecotourism, where locals are actively involved in preserving their natural and cultural heritage. We also focus on capacity building and providing access to education and training programs to equip them with the skills needed for sustainable tourism. Further, we encourage collaboration with relevant stakeholders, such as the private sector, to invest in infrastructure development without compromising the environment.
Interviewer: Great to hear that. Mr. Suhandi, as the Jury Chairman for ADWI 2024, what criteria were used to assess Les Village and other villages competing for the award?
Ari Suhandi: Thank you for having us. We evaluated villages across multiple categories, including natural attractions, cultural preservation efforts, community engagement, digital presence, and economic resilience. In Les Village’s case, they excelled in all categories, particularly their salt production using traditional methods and collaborating with institutions for coral reef restoration. We also took into account their financial benefits to the community, making them an ideal winner.
Interviewer: Ms. Suastita, could you please elaborate on how Les Village’s traditional salt production has become a tourist attraction and contributed to village development?
Nengah Suastita: Absolutely. Les Village’s “palungan salt” production has been a significant draw for tourists. Not only do they earn from the sales, but it also connects tourists with the village’s rich cultural heritage. The production process is
