The Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) from four villages in Parang District, Magetan Regency, East Java, namely Ngunut, Trosono, Sayutan, and Bungkuk, conducted a comparative study visit to the Nglanggeran Ancient Volcano Tourism Village in Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta, for two days and one night, precisely on November 14-15, 2023.
Facilitated by the Research and Community Service Institution (LPPM) of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) through the Tourism Planning and Development Center (P-P2Par) of ITB, under the Quality Tourism Development scheme to accompany the existing tourism villages in the Gunung Blego-Bukit Bungkuk (B2) area, Magetan Regency.
This comparative study was attended by participants such as representatives from Pokdarwis B2 Jaya, representatives from the Village Government, and representatives from the Magetan Tourism Office, totaling 20 people.
According to Abadi Raksapati, the Planning Team from P-P2Par ITB, the comparative study can provide insights and experiences related to tourism village development.
"Nglanggeran is one of the world-renowned tourism villages. We hope that our friends from B2 Jaya can learn how to manage tourism well and how they went through the process of becoming recognized tourism villages," he explained.
He hopes that this comparative study can improve the human resources of the pioneering tourism village managers and also support the development of Pokdarwis human resources to be more productive.
"Because they often complain about the lack of infrastructure and institutions. Because every tourism village requires a process," said Abe, the nickname for Abadi Raksapati.
During the comparative study visit to the Nglanggeran Ancient Volcano area in Patuk, Gunungkidul, the group was guided by Pokdarwis from the Nglanggeran Tourism Village, visiting several prominent spots there.
In addition to trekking to the Nglanggeran Ancient Volcano, the group also visited a dairy goat farm and received education on cocoa dodol processing as part of tourism package management. Not to be missed, the group also visited the Nglanggeran Reservoir area, which is a prominent spot for taking photos.
Upon returning from the comparative study visit, the ITB team also held an Evaluation Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on what was obtained from the Field Study to the Nglanggeran Tourism Village on Thursday (11/16).
"Hopefully, yesterday's activities can increase insights into tourism villages, to serve as a basic step to strengthen Pokdarwis institutions," concluded Abe.
In the future, the development of tourism villages in the B2 Jaya area is expected to proceed in an integrated manner according to the plan. Support from various parties is needed to realize a unified tourism destination that is competitive as a growth magnet in the southern part of Magetan. The success factors lie in the hands of the community and village government, which must consistently move forward, not only in physical development but also in human resources.
