Thursday, February 29, 2024

Exploring Tourism Villages in Indonesia: A Focus on Sumberbiru Tourism Village Development and the Pentahelix Approach

    Villages are an inseparable part of a country and the existence of villages contributes to the development of a country. Efforts to accelerate village development should start from the village as the smallest part of an area, so that development can proceed from upstream to downstream. This accelerated development will have an impact on economic growth, especially in rural areas. Villages with various potentials such as beautiful nature, sustainable culture and a comfortable environment away from the hustle and bustle of urban areas make the village an alternative tourist destination that attracts tourists. Tourist villages are one of the strengths of tourism that prioritizes preserving culture and the environment in rural areas.

        Management of tourist villages in Indonesia is part of a sustainable tourism development program in accordance with the National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2020-2024, in the context of accelerating the revival of tourism and national economic growth. This is also supported by the existence of a tourism village development program from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy through the Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI) program which has been running since 2021. This program is intended to ignite villages in Indonesia that have tourism potential so that they can be developed optimally. sustainable. The inclusion of tourist villages as one of the development priorities is because tourist villages have a large contribution to state income. The progress of this tourist village will also trigger other tourist villages to innovate so that they can become tourist villages too. This happens because the impact of this tourist village can be felt by the community, especially the improvement in the regional economy.

        Nowadays, the development of tourist villages is increasingly massive, one of which is the tourist village in East Java. East Java has very beautiful natural potential and has long been known as one of the tourist destinations in Indonesia. Apart from that, the East Java Tourism Village is the best tourist village in Indonesia. This is proven by winning 1st place in the Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI) in 2023. Almost every region in East Java has a tourist village with various potentials, some of which are natural and some have artificial tourism potential. One of the well-known tourist villages in East Java is Sumberbiru Tourism Village, which is in Jombang Regency. The author will briefly describe the development of the Sumberbiru Tourism Village based on the author's experience when carrying out research there.

Sumberbiru Tourism Village and Research Experience

           Sumberbiru Tourism Village is one of the villages that has succeeded in making good use of its natural potential, namely by utilizing the water sources in the village. This water source is one of the advantages of this tour. Visitors don't need to be afraid of flooding, because this is a source flow and not a river flow, so the water discharge tends to be stable. The utilization of natural potential was initiated by local residents who ultimately succeeded in becoming a tourist area and creating new business opportunities with the development of this tourist area. The researchers' findings show that the Sumberbiru Tourism Village has experienced quite significant development in the last three years. This is because there is a priority program from the local government to make this tourist village developed. Apart from that, researchers also discovered that there was a pentahelix program that was implemented in the process of developing this tourist village. As discussed in the previous article, Pentahelix is a collaborative program of five stakeholders including, business, community, government and media. These stakeholders have interrelated roles in the development process of the Sumberbiru Tourism Village. These roles include:

  • Academics: Help improve tourism village governance, carry out training in order to improve human resources, and implement community service programs
  • Business: Providing business capital assistance, building tourism support infrastructure through CSR, and carrying out employee training in Sumberbiru
  • Community: Promote to other communities, hold activities in Sumberbiru, and provide training and business assistance
  • Government: Make policies that support the Sumberbiru Tourism Village, help entrepreneurs to obtain business legality, and help manage the tourist village
  • Media: Helps with promotions and publications, creates educational content about tourism, and provides tourism information.

Source: Author Documentation (Copyright indonesiaku.site 2024)






        The development of the Sumberbiru Tourism Village by implementing the pentahelix approach has proven capable of making this tourist village increasingly developed and known to the public. Apart from that, the existence of this tourist village also provides an impressive experience for tourists because they can tour the countryside and enjoy the natural nuances that are still beautiful at an affordable price. Therefore, traveling in tourist villages can be a tourist destination that is worth trying.

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Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Top Business Opportunities in Indonesia for Foreigners: Vlogging, Photography, Teaching English, Freelancing, and Writing

In this article we will review businesses that are in great demand by foreign tourists or foreign students in Indonesia. Apart from that, in this article we will also try to provide some additional business recommendations, perhaps this article will also be read by local residents in the future. Because, in an era where life's needs are as complex as today, everyone certainly wants to make extra money to meet their needs. It is not uncommon for us to find in local news attempts to make money in bad ways, so we need to pay more attention to the surrounding environment and continue to educate people with positive writing.

Photo illustration by cc licenses


With a lot of business literacy that educates the public in the form of writing on websites, scientific journals, social media, videos on YouTube, it can give people more points of view so that we can hope for various efforts to make money in unethical ways such as online gambling may decrease in Indonesia. Immediately below, we present a review of popular business recommendations that you can do whether you are a foreigner or not.


1. Vlogger

Vlogger, which is an abbreviation for video blog, is an activity where someone records their daily activities in video form and then uploads them to various sites on the Internet. The most popular platform for uploading videos at the moment is YouTube, this is because on this platform you can make money by monetizing your videos by displaying advertisements on video footage. For more details regarding this matter, you can visit other articles which provide a more complete discussion because in this writing we just provide an perspective review. 

We observe that currently, people's interest in reading has started to decline, people prefer to look for videos on YouTube to gain insight. On the other hand, of course, this can be an opportunity, as we know currently people are competing to become YouTubers. For those of you who are foreign tourists or foreign students, you can create a video blog that shows the natural beauty of Indonesia, culinary delights in Indonesia, and Indonesian culture to increase your income. According to our observations, video blogs with a travel theme are very popular.


2. Photo and video services

Photo and video services are also very popular in Indonesia, especially now that people want to exist on social media, considering that intense competition is certainly a challenge. If you have difficulty finding clients but your hobby is photography, you can still sell your photos on various sites. Please check sites that sell photos such as Shutterstock and others. If you want to pursue this business, we suggest that you take a course first so that you can produce professional work. Based on our research, there are many sites that provide free courses, one of the popular ones that we recommend is the digital talent scholarship from KOMINFO. Apart from providing training, you will also get a certificate from KOMINFO, I am one of those who have tried it. However, if you want to take training from KOMINFO, you will be given several online tests, so don't forget to study and prepare.


3. Teaches English

For foreign students whose mother tongue is English, this is a big advantage for you. While studying in Indonesia, you can also become a foreign language teacher, even if you apply for a job at a course institution, the chances of being accepted are very large. If you don't like teaching directly, you can make videos on YouTube or write on your social media. People who want to learn your language will certainly start following you on social media and you can make money later. We have checked several foreigners who are successful in this matter in Indonesia.


4. Looking for projects on freelance sites

Currently, there are many sites providing freelance services, some of the popular ones include the Freelancer website, Fiiver, and others. However, based on my experience, getting freelance projects on online sites is very difficult but not impossible. We recommend that you take a course to get a certificate on the platform you are going to. We think this method will be effective, but I haven't tried it myself because the costs tend to be expensive from our point of view. If you are serious about pursuing it, please try taking the course and consider it as an investment, which means you can't see the results in a short time.


5. Writer

We made it last as a writer because we have observed that currently interest in reading is starting to wane. However, you also need to know that this writing profession will not die forever, if you like writing you can publish your writing on blogger, WordPress, news platforms, social media that you have, you can even start writing a book. One of the Indonesian writers once said "A person may be as clever as the sky, but as long as he doesn't write, he will be lost in society and from history" (Pramoedya Ananta Toer). If you want to write, write what you are good at, don't just write based on trends so that your writing will benefit other people.


Maybe that's enough for now, please provide constructive criticism and don't forget to share this article on your social media.


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Saturday, February 10, 2024

Essential Travel Tips for a Memorable Journey in Indonesia: Your Complete Guide

For those of you who come from outside Indonesia and want to travel to Indonesia, whether for holidays, work or business purposes, of course traveling to a foreign country is a great thing. You definitely expect to see something you have never seen that interests you. However, before you travel to Indonesia or any other country, it's a good idea for you to find out about the destination country first to avoid mistakes in behavior, ethics and local culture. So, this article will give you a little idea or guide that you need to know or do before traveling to Indonesia or if you are currently on holiday in Indonesia, read this article until the end.

Image Illustrations credit by CC licensees


Several things need to be prepared

1. Identification Mark
Identification is something that must be prepared completely before traveling. Make sure you do not leave your identification such as ID card, Passport, Visa, or other valuable documents that show your identity before traveling. Identification cards are really needed in Indonesia for various administrative purposes such as hotel reservations, entering tourist attractions, and various other purposes.

2. Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory for international flights, if you travel using certain travel services, as far as we know, travel insurance will usually be provided in one package. However, if you are going on an individual trip, make sure you choose travel insurance that suits your needs. You must read the insurance policy in detail so that later there are no misunderstandings regarding insurance coverage.

3. Finance
Before traveling, make sure your visa card can be used properly so that when you make transactions there are no problems. You don't need to buy too much local currency to avoid risks such as loss or theft, just what is necessary. For safe payments, you can actually use a digital wallet, currently various places such as restaurants, hotels, public transportation, some already provide non-cash payment methods.


Special tips for indonesiaku.site readers

1. If you arrive at the arrival terminal, whether you use land, sea or air transportation, before you use the delivery service from the terminal, make sure you ask for the price first. It is important for you to do this to avoid people who want to take advantage of your ignorance of your surroundings.

2. Do research about the destination location. Things you need to research first are the availability of public transportation at your destination, accommodation prices, access to health facilities, local food prices and the minimum living costs required in your destination area.

If you are doing research you might also want to read our articles: Explore Indonesia: Affordable Travel Guide to Bali, Raja Ampat, Komodo, Yogyakarta, and Gili Islands

3. Familiarize yourself with the local customs and etiquette to show respect to the local culture. Indonesians appreciate modesty, so dressing modestly is advised, especially when visiting religious sites.

4. Learn a few basic phrases in Bahasa Indonesia. While many Indonesians in tourist areas speak English, locals always appreciate the effort to communicate in their language.

If you want to go to tradional market you might also need to read our articles: Your Guide to Key Indonesian Expressions in Traditional Markets

5. Prepare the medicines you usually use as well as vitamins. Also, check if any vaccinations are required before traveling to Indonesia. Also, it's advisable to drink bottled or boiled water to avoid waterborne diseases.


6. Indonesia has diverse climates, so check the weather conditions for your specific destination. Pack accordingly to ensure comfort during your travels.


7. Install local transportation apps to make your travel more convenient. Apps like Gojek and Grab are widely used for ride-hailing and other services.
Cuisine Exploration:

8. Don't miss the opportunity to explore Indonesian cuisine. Try local dishes and street food, but ensure it's from reputable vendors to avoid any health issues.


10. Save local emergency contacts and the contact information of your embassy or consulate in case of any unforeseen situations.


11. Exchange a small amount of money upon arrival for immediate expenses. Use reputable currency exchange services to avoid scams.

Remember, the key is to blend in, respect local customs, and have an open mind to fully enjoy your travel experience in Indonesia. Now, this time for you to share this post to your colleagues who want to visit Indonesia.

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Thursday, February 8, 2024

Raja Ampat Travel Guide: From Sorong to Spectacular Islands

    We have touched on the Raja Ampat tourist destination a little in the previous article and in this article, we will provide a more complete insight. Raja Ampat is the name of one of the Regency in West Papua Province. The name of the Raja Ampat tourist attraction has become known as a tourist attraction brand because of the beauty of this location, even though the Raja Ampat Regency itself is very large, consisting of many islands, where the capital city is Waisai City. So where is the very famous Raja Ampat tourist destination located? for the answer, you can read this article until the end.

Underwater view of Raja Ampat (Image by CC licenses)

How to Get to Raja Ampat Tourist Attractions

    If you are a foreign tourist, you must first look for the nearest city in Indonesia from your country and then take another flight to the city of Sorong, the capital of West Papua. So, from the city of Sorong, you can continue your journey to Raja Ampat by sea. Based on our observations, 2 port entrances can be used, namely Falaya port in Waisai and Yellu port in Misool. Don't worry, every corner in Raja Ampat offers its beauty and uniqueness, you just need to choose the starting point according to your reference.


If you have a plan to traveling to Indonesia you need to read another articles: Essential Travel Tips for a Memorable Journey in Indonesia: Your Complete Guide


The range of costs required

    We will try to provide an estimate of travel costs for you, but the estimated costs we provide of course exclude the plane ticket from your country to Indonesia. For example, if you choose a flight from Jakarta to Sorong, the current air ticket economy class price range is IDR 3,000,000 or USD 191.90 based on the current currency exchange rate. Economy class ship tickets for Sorong-Waisai are IDR 140,000/USD 8.96, VIP class is IDR 250,000/USD 15.99 while ship tickets from Sorong-Misool are IDR 300,000/USD 19.19 (economy or VIP class are not available). You can see the ship departure schedule on this link.

    So, you can spend around IDR 3,300,000/USD 211.09 for travel tickets excluding accommodation. We do not provide cost estimates for hotel and meal costs, you can live according to your own budget. Kindly noted, in Raja Ampat there are many strategic locations that you can visit based on your arrival point and if you want to visit them of course you will need additional costs.


Tourist Destinations in Raja Ampat

    Next, we will provide a list of tourist destinations based on the two entrances that we have mentioned above, namely Waisai on Waigeo Island and Misool Island.

1. Misool Island

    If you have arrived on Misool Island and you want to see a very beautiful scenic spot, you can visit Lake Karawapop, Dafalen Peak, Harfet Peak, and Yapap. However, some of these places require more effort where you have to climb to get the best angle to see the view in Raja Ampat. Meanwhile, if you want to enjoy the beach atmosphere, you can visit Namlol, Gamfi Island, and Kalek Beach. For those of you who like diving, we recommend Balbulol and Lake Lenmakana.


2. Waisai in Waigeo Island

    If you choose the location to arrive in Waisai, you can enjoy the beach atmosphere at Saelo Beach and Waisai Torang Cinta Beach (WTC). Meanwhile, if you want to enjoy beautiful views and a suitable place for diving, you can visit Saonek Monde Island. And, for those who want to enjoy the natural atmosphere, you can visit the Warkesi Forest.


    All the tourist attractions that we have provided above are based on the closest distance from your arrival location in Raja Ampat. In fact, there are many other quite popular tourist destinations that we have not mentioned one by one in this article. For example, Arborek Tourism Village is specifically for those of you who like tourist village destinations, this village is around 37km from South Misool and other tourist destinations. Please leave your message in the comments column if you want other information about tourist attractions in Raja Ampat.


If you are interested in tourist villages, maybe you will also be interested in our other articles: Unlocking Indonesia's Hidden Gems: Best Tourism Villages Revealed!



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Friday, February 2, 2024

Deliciously Healthy: Exploring Nutrient-Rich Culinary Delights in Indonesia – A Gastronomic Journey for Every Traveler!

    In this article, we will discuss culinary tourism which will certainly make you feel hungry. Traveling is an excellent activity to unwind and clear your mind. Of course, everyone's travel tastes can be different, some choose to climb mountains to enjoy the natural atmosphere, some go to the beach to just enjoy the view, dive, or surf, and there are even those who learn how unique the cultures in this world are. However, your tour will not be complete if you have not enjoyed the typical culinary delights of the tourist area.

    Culinary in Indonesia is very numerous and varied and of course each has its own characteristics depending on the tourist area. You just need to ask Google what typical food is available in the area you are visiting. In this article we will provide something different from just providing culinary recommendations, but we will provide recommendations for typical culinary delights in Indonesia that are good for your health and easy to find.

The following are recommendations for typical Indonesian culinary delights that are good for your health.

1. 'Gado-gado'

    Gada-gado is the name of a food which in Portuguese means mixed. This food is similar to its name and consists of many ingredients including cabbage, beans, spinach, cucumber, bean sprouts, potatoes, tofu, peanuts, eggs, crackers and typical Indonesian spices. Yes, it is indeed similar to a salad, let's just say that Gado-gado is the Indonesian version of salad, only this food is served with boiled vegetables and then added peanut sauce on top. 

    This food is made without using cooking oil which is very good for health and of course vegetables and nuts will give you nutrition and protein which is good for your health. Gado-gado is actually a typical Jakarta food, but this food is very easy to get throughout Indonesia, especially on the island of Java. In some areas there may be several foods which in terms of taste and ingredients used are almost the same as Gado-gado, including pecal sayur, ketoprak, and karedok. For those of you who have a diet program, this food is highly recommended for you.

Gado-gado (image by cc licenses)


2. 'Sate'

    Based on information from Wikipedia, satay is a typical and popular food in Indonesia which originally came from Ponorogo, East Java, although Thailand also claims that this culinary is theirs. This food is almost available throughout Indonesia and is very easy to find. However, some regions have unique ways of serving it, such as Sate Madura with its distinctive peanut sauce or Sate Padang where the satay is served with kuah gulai(curry sauce) and lontong(cake rice) with a distinctive taste.

    Satay is basically made from chicken or beef which is cut into small pieces more or less the size of dice. The pieces of meat are then skewered and arranged in rows using small bamboo sticks as shown in the picture below, then grilled over charcoal. The presentation can vary from region to region, but the main difference generally lies in the chili sauce mixture used. This food is safe for health because the basic ingredient is meat that is roasted manually and served without flavoring.


3. 'Soto'

    The last typical Indonesian culinary dish we recommend is Soto. The basic ingredients for this meal are chicken or beef broth, vegetables, boiled round eggs, and then served with rice, although rice is optional. This food is classified as a healthy food, but you have to make sure that the soup you order doesn't contain too much fat.

    This food is very easy to get throughout Indonesia. However, each region usually has unique characteristics for serving it. Several types of Soto food that are popular based on the region are Soto Medan, Soto Banjar, Soto Bandung and Soto Lamongan. Some Soto dishes contain a lot of fat which is not good for your cholesterol, make sure you know your health condition before enjoying this dish.


If you have criticism and suggestions, please submit them in the comments column below and also don't forget to share this article with your friends who are culinary lovers.


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Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Pentahelix Approach: Transforming Indonesian Tourist Villages. Uncover The Collaborative Synergy of Academics, Business, Community, Government, and Media for Sustainable Development

        The Indonesian government through the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is intensively paying attention to the development of tourist villages in Indonesia. This is because villages are the smallest government entities in a country that can contribute to the regional economy if the village has potential, especially tourism potential. It should be noted that a tourist village is a rural area that has an attraction for the potential of the area and offers a beautiful rural atmosphere, in which there is also the social and cultural life of the rural community. One of the characteristics of a tourist village is that it is managed directly by the community for the welfare of the village community.

        Collaboration is something that needs to be considered when talking about developing a tourist village. The more stakeholders involved in developing a tourist village make the development of the tourist village more effective. One approach that can be taken is to use the "Pentahelix" approach. This concept was put forward by Carayannis & Campbell in 2010, who explained that sustainable development is carried out by prioritizing eco-innovation and eco-entrepreneurship which is carried out in collaboration between stakeholders. This concept was then adopted by the Indonesian Minister of Tourism in order to encourage the tourism system through optimizing the roles of stakeholders.

Pentahelix Model (edited by indonesiaku.site, 2024) 
Source: Indonesian Ministry of Tourism (2017)

The role of each stakeholder in the pentahelix model is as follows:
  1. Academics: Academics play a role as conceptor in carrying out standardization and certification in order to develop innovation or policy.
  2. Business: Business plays a role as enabler in improving infrastructure, improving a healthy business environment, and playing a role in helping digitalization.
  3. Community: The community plays a role as accelerator in accelerating business digitalization.
  4. Government: The government plays a role as regulator in providing easy regulations to support tourism development.
  5. Media: The media plays a role as catalisator in increasing brand awareness and brand image of a tourist attraction in order to attract tourists to visit.

Read other articles if you are interested in tourist villages: Unlocking Indonesia's Hidden Gems: Best Tourism Villages Revealed!

        It can be concluded that the pentahelix concept was formed by a synergistic relationship between stakeholders. Synergy is a key point in implementing this concept which will have an impact on the success of developing tourist villages. This concept of synergy between stakeholders has proven effective in developing tourist villages in Indonesia because each stakeholder has their own role in supporting the development of tourist villages. Success in developing this tourist village will certainly provide a multiplier effect that will benefit all levels of society.

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Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Unlocking Indonesia's Hidden Gems: Best Tourism Villages Revealed!

        In previous articles, we have provided a discussion of tourist destinations in Indonesia and tried to provide several recommendations. In this article we will provide something unique and can provide insight for readers, namely Tourism Villages. In contrast to tourist destinations in general, tourist villages offer a more complete experience and are insightful into the culture, nature and unique characteristics of each tourist village.

        Based on data from the Indonesian tourism ministry, Indonesia has 75,000 registered villages and 1,200 of them are tourist villages. The role of tourist villages is very important to support the nation's economy by attracting local and foreign tourists and revitalizing local MSMEs. It is true that currently Indonesia does not have a tourist village that is included in the list of the world's best tourist village destinations, but we will try to provide recommendations for the best tourist villages based on the Indonesian tourism ministry.

Panglipuran Village Bali (Image by CC licenses)

Pemuteran Village Bali

        Pemuteran tourist village is located in Gerokgak sub-district, Buleleng Regency, Bali. If you are coming from Ngurah Rai International Airport, you can take a taxi or public transportation via the Singaraja-Gilimanuk road which takes approximately 4 hours. Embrace the serene beauty of Bali in Pemuteran. Known for its coral restoration projects, this village offers a unique blend of coastal wonders and Balinese traditions.


Penglipuran Village Bali

        Penglipuran tourist village is located in Bangli Regency, Bali. This village is very strategic, only takes approximately 1.5 hours from Ngurah Rai International Airport which you can reach by taxi or public transportation. Step into the cultural richness of Penglipuran. Famous for its well-preserved customs and architecture, this village provides an authentic Balinese experience.


Nglanggeran Tourist Village Yogyakarta

        Nglanggeran tourist village is located in Patuk Sub-district, Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta. This village can be accessed in approximately one hour from the city of Yogyakarta by public or private transportation. Unearth the geological wonders of Nglanggeran. This village boasts ancient volcanic landscapes, perfect for adventurous souls.


Pentingsari Village Yogyakarta

        Pentingsari tourist village is located in Cangkringan Sub-district, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta. Similar to Nglanggeran village, Jenissari village can be reached in approximately one hour from the city of Yogyakarta. Discover the cultural tapestry of Pentingsari. With its strong sense of community and Javanese traditions, this village showcases the warmth of Yogyakarta. It's just that this tourist village is located on the slopes of a volcano which is quite vulnerable, so if you plan to visit this tourist village it is recommended to look at the BMKG (Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics Council) information first.


Tamansari Village Banyuwangi

     Tamansari tourist village is located in Licin Sub-district, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Tamansari, this village offers natural beauty, culture and unique local MSME products. Surrounded by lush landscapes and coffee plantations, this village offers a retreat into Banyuwangi's charm. If you are a true coffee lover then you must visit this tourist village once in your life to enjoy the coffee and buy the products.


Join us on this cultural journey, exploring Indonesia's best-kept secrets. Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for more captivating posts on indonesiaku.site!

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