A team of UGM students joining the Student Creativity Program in Social Sciences and Humanities Research studied the Javanese philosophy of “hamemayu hayuning bawana” (to maintain and beautify the harmony of the universe) to accelerate regenerative tourism in the Yogyakarta Special Region.
The team, consisting of Mauren (Law 2020), Iswan (Tourism 2021), Danu (Philosophy 2020), Juwita (Tourism 2020), and Shafira (Tourism 2020), initiated their research based on the commitment of the Yogyakarta government to promote regenerative tourism to address long-standing tourism issues in the region.
This commitment was evident during the 2022 World Tourism Day celebration in the Pancoh Ecotourism Village, which specifically focused on “Regenerative Tourism.”
Regenerative tourism is a concept that seeks to change the paradigm of tourism, aiming not only for economic purposes but also for the well-being of the local destination, the environment, and its residents.
Mauren stated that Yogyakarta could not be separated from hamemayu hayuning bawana, which, when examined chronologically, closely relates to the history of its development and progress since ancient times.
Hamemayu hayuning bawana is an extension of the sustainable tourism concept often used in today’s global tourism industry.
“This is based on the philosophy of hamemayu hayuning bawana, which is evidence of local wisdom in interpreting the relationship between humans and the universe, which is very suitable if applied to the Indonesian culture,” said Mauren on Monday, October 9.
“This condition underlies the belief that this philosophy can be implemented concretely as a solution to various problems that have occurred in the tourism industry in Yogyakarta.”
The team attempted to critically examine the values contained in the phrase using regenerative tourism indicators. They collaborated with various stakeholders to obtain comprehensive data.
Some of the stakeholders involved included Penghageng Kawedanan Nitya Budaya (Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Bendara), Penghageng Kawedanan Radya Kartiyasa (R.A Siti Amirul Nur Sundari), Penghageng Kawedanan Widya Budaya (KMT. Widyawinata), Penghageng Kawedanan Purayakara, and Kawedanan Krida Mardawa.
This research also engaged the Head of the Yogyakarta Tourism Office, the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association Chair in Yogyakarta, and the Regional Development Planning Agency Chair in Yogyakarta.
The team also endeavored to examine the philosophy from the perspective of tourism practitioners through in-depth interviews with Bobby Ardyanto Setyo Aji, Chair of the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association.
This was done to understand how tourism practitioners in Yogyakarta interpret the values within the philosophy.
Data collection for this process took place from June to the end of September 2023.
With all the data gathered, the team hopes it will serve as the initial foundation for formulating regenerative strategies and policies for tourism in Yogyakarta, guided by the philosophy of hamemayu hayuning bawana as a deeply rooted local value in Javanese society.
Author: Ika
Photo: The hamemayu hayuning bawana study team