Community-Based Tourism (CBT): Building Sustainable Tourism with Local Communities
Community-Based Tourism (CBT) is a tourism approach that places local communities as key players in planning, managing, and benefiting from tourism activities. This approach aims to empower communities, create equitable economic opportunities, and ensure that the benefits of tourism are directly experienced by local residents.
By involving communities in the planning, development, and management of tourism, CBT ensures that tourism activities align with local values. This approach helps balance tourism activities with environmental sustainability, while also providing long-term benefits for future generations.
Implementation of CBT in Indonesia
In Indonesia, many tourist villages have adopted the concept of Community-Based Tourism (CBT). For example, Nglanggeran Tourism Village in Yogyakarta received the “Best Tourism Village UNWTO” award in 2021. Another example is Waerebo Tourism Village, which earned the “ASEAN Community-Based Tourism Award” at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2023.
1. Nglanggeran Tourism Village in Yogyakarta
Nglanggeran Tourism Village, located in Patuk District, Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region, achieved the prestigious “Best Tourism Village 2021” award from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). This award was announced during the 24th UNWTO General Assembly in Madrid, Spain, on December 2, 2021, after competing with 44 other tourism villages from 32 countries worldwide.
Nglanggeran’s success is rooted in its application of sustainable tourism principles, which emphasize environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. The village is renowned for the Nglanggeran Ancient Volcano, part of the UNESCO-recognized Gunung Sewu Geopark, and the Nglanggeran Reservoir, which irrigates fruit gardens surrounding the ancient volcano.
The residents of Nglanggeran are actively engaged in various creative economic activities, such as chocolate production at Griya Coklat Nglanggeran, homestay development, and the preservation of local arts and culture. The village also utilizes an e-ticketing system for managing tourist visits, showcasing its adaptability to technology in tourism management.
The UNWTO award affirms Nglanggeran as a successful example of integrating environmental and cultural preservation with community empowerment through sustainable tourism practices.
2. Waerebo Tourism Village
Nestled in the mountains of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Waerebo Village is renowned not only as a tourist destination but also as a symbol of traditional cultural preservation and environmental sustainability. The village features seven traditional cone-shaped houses called Mbaru Niang, a unique architectural style that embodies harmony between humans, nature, and culture.
The people of Waerebo actively preserve their ancestral traditions, including traditional ceremonies, music, and handicrafts, which serve as major attractions for visitors. The community’s involvement in managing community-based tourism has significantly contributed to the local economy while conserving the surrounding environment.
Their commitment to sustainable tourism was recognized with the “ASEAN Community-Based Tourism Award” at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2023. This accolade underscores Waerebo’s success as a model for implementing Community-Based Tourism in Southeast Asia, emphasizing local community empowerment and the preservation of cultural assets.
Through sustainable management, Waerebo not only attracts tourists but also serves as an inspiration for other tourism villages in Indonesia aiming to develop their potential while respecting traditional values and environmental sustainability.
Benefits of Community-Based Tourism (CBT)
- Economic Empowerment: Community-Based Tourism (CBT) creates new job opportunities and supports local businesses, such as homestays, culinary ventures, and handicrafts, boosting the local economy.
- Cultural and Environmental Preservation: By involving the local community, CBT helps preserve cultural traditions and safeguard the environment from the potentially significant impacts of tourism.
- Enhanced Community Independence: Local communities become more self-reliant in managing and developing tourism potential in their area, reducing dependence on external parties.
Challenges
While the concept may seem straightforward, implementing Community-Based Tourism (CBT) presents unique challenges. One major hurdle is the lack of understanding and skills among local human resources in the tourism sector. This highlights the need for training and guidance in various areas, such as guest services, tourism activity management, organizational administration, and marketing of tourism products.
References:
- United Nations World Tourism Organization. (2021). UNWTO Best Tourism Villages. Retrieved May 2025, from https://www.unwto.org/best-tourism-villages
- ASEAN Tourism Forum. (2023). ASEAN Community Based Tourism Awards Winners. Retrieved May 2025, from https://www.aseantourismforum.org/awards-2023
- Secretariat Cabinet of the Republic of Indonesia. (2021, December 3). Nglanggeran Tourism Village Wins UNWTO Best Tourism Village Award. Retrieved May 2025, from https://setkab.go.id/desa-wisata-nglanggeran-raih-gelar-unwto-best-tourism-village
- Tempo.co. (2021, December 6). Getting to Know Nglanggeran, the Best Tourism Village in the World 2021 according to UNWTO. Retrieved May 2025, from https://travel.tempo.co/read/1535668/mengenal-nglanggeran-desa-wisata-terbaik-dunia-2021-versi-unwto
- Detik Travel. (2021, December 5). Winning the Best Tourism Village from UNWTO, Here Are 5 Interesting Facts about Nglanggeran Village. Retrieved May 2025, from https://travel.detik.com/travel-news/d-5838742/sabet-best-tourism-village-dari-unwto-ini-5-fakta-menarik-desa-nglanggeran
