Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism is transforming 6,152 villages and tourism hamlets into high-quality and sustainable tourist destinations.
"Currently, the development of these 6,152 pilot tourism villages in Indonesia already has an established network," Deputy for Destination Development and Infrastructure at the Ministry of Tourism Hariyanto said during an interview with ANTARA in Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung Islands, earlier this week.
He noted that 98 pilot tourism villages in the Bangka Belitung Islands have already formed networks, grown, and boosted local economies.
“The pilot tourism villages here have developed, and the community is now relatively independent in managing their tourism village potential,” he said.
The ministry is working with Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) to reformulate the development of tourism villages across the country to ensure they become sustainable destinations that reflect the aspirations of local communities.
Hariyanto explained that the development of the tourism villages will be reformulated through the Working Committee on Tourist Village Standardization of Commission VII of DPR, following the outcomes of a recent DPR working visit to Bangka Belitung Islands.
“The presence of Commission VII of DPR was aimed at drafting regulations so that the provisions already set in the law can be translated into implementing regulations that are grounded and aligned with the aspirations of local communities,” he said.
To support village tourism, the ministry plans both physical and non-physical interventions funded by Special Allocation Funds (DAK). Physical interventions focus on infrastructure and facilities within the villages.
“In these village tourist destinations, at least three aspects must be fulfilled: attractions, amenities, and accessibility,” he noted.
He added that from 2018 to 2024, tourism villages in Bangka Belitung Islands consistently received DAK support for infrastructure and facility development.
“This year, there is no DAK due to budget efficiency policies. Hopefully, with the efforts of Commission VII of DPR, DAK will be available again in 2026 to help develop pilot tourism villages into advanced and self-reliant destinations,” he said.
Related news: Strengthening tourism villages for stronger rural economy
Related news: Ministry tests women-friendly tourism village in Bali
Translator: Aprionis, Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak
Editor: Arie Novarina
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
