Community-based tourism planning has become a leading development model in Indonesia, positioning local communities as the primary actors, from the planning and implementation stages to direct beneficiaries.
The development of community-based tourism villages aims to stimulate economic growth, enhance public welfare, reduce poverty and unemployment, conserve natural resources, and promote cultural heritage. The government actively supports this model as a strategic program to realize inclusive and sustainable tourism across regions.
As a tangible effort toward this goal, the Watusigar Community Service Team of the Tourism Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with the UGM Tourism Student Association (HIMAPA), conducted a mentoring program in Banyumanik.
The activity involved identifying potential tourism assets, which were presented at the Banyumanik Research Center in Banyumanik Hamlet, Gunungkidul Regency, on Saturday (Oct. 25).
The four-month program, running from July to October 2025, was specifically designed to address critical challenges. Although the residents of Banyumanik have demonstrated a strong commitment to developing sustainable, community-based tourism and are situated within the Gunungsewu Geopark tourism ecosystem, the area has not yet been actively engaged in tourism activities.
“This UGM initiative aims to encourage and support local residents in holding discussions and identifying their tourism potential,” said Yulita Kusuma Sari, Head of the 2025 Watusigar Team, in a statement released on Monday (Nov. 3).
Sari explained that this community service program represents the initial phase in planning and developing community-based tourism in Banyumanik. Following the mapping of tourism assets, residents are expected to jointly determine which assets should be prioritized for development and improvement.
Based on field findings, Sari highlighted storytelling as a key area for potential development.
“According to the students’ findings, storytelling holds strong potential as a tourism attraction in Banyumanik. The stories can be grouped thematically, such as cultural, historical, or combined themes,” she explained.
She added that storytelling is also essential as part of intergenerational knowledge transfer to prevent cultural loss. The idea received positive responses from partners and community members.
A representative from the Banyumanik Research Center, Tutik, stated that the report presented was comprehensive and detailed. She emphasized the need for continued support from the UGM Tourism Study Program to help narrate the journey of the Banyumanik community in their struggle to obtain water for survival from the past to the present.
Support also came from various community groups. Eko Yulianto, representing the Pacarejo Village Government, expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the collaboration.
“We hope this synergy will continue and empower the community through the development of tourism and agricultural plantations in Pacarejo Village,” he concluded.
Author: Aldi Firmansyah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographs: Banyumanik 2025 Team