Plans Under Way To Boost Rural Tourism In Yogyakarta

News Focus - PLANS UNDER WAY TO BOOST RURAL TOURISM IN YOGYAKARTA By Otniel Tamindael Jakarta, Oct 25 (Antara) - Local administrations in Yogyakarta are working on managing and developing tourist spots, especially tourism villages, in a bid to attract more tourists to the region. With its diverse natural, cultural, and historical attractions, the Bantul district is expected to support the development of the Special Region of Yogyakarta into a major tourist destination in Indonesia. Therefore, the local government is making efforts to manage the tourist attractions in a professional manner to encourage the growth of the tourism industry and to drive the economic activities of the local people to increase their income and welfare. Among the many tourist attractions Bantul has to offer are the Agro Park Orchard, a wooden batik center, and the tourism villages of Dlingo, Sendangsari, Pajangan, and Kuwaru beach. Bantul has about 20 tourism villages, but there is no regional regulation to manage and develop them to improve the local community`s welfare and introduce creative economic activities. Therefore, the local Culture and Tourism Department is drafting a regional regulation to manage and develop the tourism villages in the region, the department`s Chief, Bambang Priharyanto, said in Bantul on Friday. "The draft of the regional regulation is being discussed at the legislative level, and we hope it will soon be endorsed for the management and development of tourism villages here," Bambang stated. The tourism villages can be managed well if there is a strategy to develop them, either with the help of cooperatives or directly by tourism-conscious groups, Bambang remarked. The regional regulation is being mapped out following a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs to determine the contribution made by tourism villages to the local community and the government, he added. "The Ministry of Home Affairs frequently asks how much the tourism villages have contributed to the region`s revenue, signaling the ministry`s intention to formulate a regional regulation," he noted. Besides Bantul, the Gunung Kidul district in Yogyakarta is also making efforts to promote and develop its tourist spots under the framework of the Tourism Investment Development Mission. The Tourism Investment Development Mission will focus on natural tourism, village tourism, cultural tourism, and special-interest tourism, said Gunung Kidul Regional Development Planning Board spokesman Syarief Armunanto recently. "The local government will step up efforts to improve infrastructure facilities at tourist spots in the district," Syarief stated. According to him, Gunung Kidul has many natural attractions, such as the Ngrancah waterfall in Ngleri village and the pristine beaches of Gesing, Ngrenehan, Ngobaran, Baron, Krakal, Sunduk, Watu Lawang, Drini, and Sepanjang, besides several tourism villages. In addition, Gunung Kidul district also has several spots of cultural interest in Gunung Gambar and Wonokobaran, Syarif added. Some popular tourism villages of Gunung Kidul include Putat, Nglanggeran, Bendung, Ngeposari, Beji, Bleberan, Umbulrejo, and Kemadang. "In a bid to develop these tourism villages, officials from the Gunung Kidul Culture and Tourism office will provide training lessons on English and tourism management to the villagers," Syarief explained. Meanwhile, Widya Budaya Foundation Chairperson Widi Utaminingsih said that together with other tourist spots, tourist villages will enhance tourists� overall experience. "Every tourism village in Yogyakarta has its own culture and tradition, and is blessed with a natural beauty that is unique," Widi observed, adding the Widya Budaya Foundation is concerned about the tourism sector and cultural development in the region. Each rural tourist spot has agricultural fields, animal farms, and cultural attractions which can be developed to attract tourists, she noted. According to her, there are at least 50 villages in Yogyakarta that can be developed into rural tourist spots. "Ideally, a tourism village should have local elements so that tourists have a unique experience. Besides, the local character of a tourism village should be reflected in its accommodation and transportation facilities, as well as in the presentation of historical information," she observed. To ensure their village remains a tourist destination, the people managing the village must improve services, she added. "A tourism village must offer details about its history, making the whole experience more educational," Widi said. Tourists must be impressed so the experience remains etched in their minds and stays with them even after they return home, she added. There are several popular tourism villages in the Yogyakarta province in the districts of Sleman, Kulonprogro, Bantul, the Yogyakarta city, and Gunungkidul. In Sleman district, the local community is working hard to develop tourism villages. "The persistence and the spirit of the villagers have contributed to the progress of tourism villages in Sleman," said Untoro Budiharjo, spokesman for the local Culture and Tourism Office. The development of tourism villages in the district is based on the principle - of the people, by the people, and for the people, he noted. In tourism villages, the traditions and the culture of the local community are preserved so they remain untouched by globalization. To develop the rural tourism sector, the local communities have to improve infrastructure, including transportation, medical services, accommodation, and telecommunications. To promote rural tourism internationally, the chief of the Widya Budaya Foundation has urged the managers of tourism villages to use digital media to publicize their villages. "Promoting a village using digital media tools will be effective because the information can be accessed by anyone in any part of the world," Widi noted. According to her, promoting tourism villages through digital media will be inexpensive and it can help significantly increase the number of tourist visits.