CBT is a tourism model where local communities actively manage, develop, and make decisions about tourism in their area.
It promotes sustainable economic, social, and environmental benefits, ensuring communities directly benefit from tourism revenues while preserving their cultural and natural heritage.
Immanuel Pangaribuan, head of Manokwari’s Office of Tourism, Creative Economy, and Culture, said on Thursday that the focus in Kwau Village is on full local participation in tourism activities.
“The effort to establish Kwau as a tourism village has been long. The local government and community must now work to sustain this progress,” he said.
Indonesia uses CBT to boost local economies, preserve culture, and create sustainable tourism that fairly distributes benefits and empowers communities.
This approach prioritizes community involvement over large infrastructure projects.
Due to the fact that Kwau Village is recognized as a birdwatching tourism site and a source of pride for West Papua, Immanuel stressed the importance of preserving the village’s natural and cultural assets to maintain community engagement and independence.
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Residents live by the Sapta Pesona principles—seven tourism charm values—including environmental cleanliness and hospitality.
“People don’t smoke or chew betel nuts; the village is well-organized. This shows their commitment to sustainable tourism,” Immanuel said.
The district government plans to provide skills training, especially for women, to produce handicrafts and souvenirs. They also encourage homestays and local culinary services to enhance visitor experiences.
To better serve international tourists, Kwau is being promoted as an “English village.” Local figure Hans Mandacan, a self-taught English speaker, currently assists foreign visitors.
“We hope local youth will follow his example by learning English while engaging in tourism,” Immanuel added.
Infrastructure improvements are planned, including better access roads to birdwatching sites, a giant banana site, and nearby waterfalls.
“With provincial support, we aim to build footpaths to key spots next year to improve accessibility,” he said.
These efforts aim to position Kwau Village as a leading community-based tourism destination in Manokwari District.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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