Arief Bakhtiar Darmawan
*, Soni Martin Anwar
Department of International Relations, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Indonesia Abstract
This study aims to identify community participation in developing a tourist village and implement tourism development in Ketenger Village through community-based tourism (CBT). Ketenger Village is a tourist village having various destinations and tourist areas so that the potential for village development can still be developed. The data in this study were collected through field observations, interviews, and focus group discussions with related parties. Data were analyzed using qualitative methods. The study results indicated that the participation or involvement of the Ketenger Village community in several CBT standards had been partly met, while others need to be improved. Despite having Pokdarwis (Tourism-aware Group), the village government was still the main motor of tourism. Therefore, some of the main development opportunities for Ketenger Village that can be done are improving the quality of community management (in planning, implementation, and evaluation), improving the quality of human resources, encouraging host and tourist interaction, and maximizing marketing through social media (not only depending on newspaper journalists).
Keywords: community-based tourism, community participation, Ketenger Village, tourism.
INTRODUCTION*
This article seeks to analyze community participation in developing a tourist village and implement tourism development in Ketenger Village through community-based tourism (CBT).
At the end of the 1960s, the term tourism industry emerged. Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 1969, chapter 2, article 3 stated: tourism businesses in Indonesia are a development of the tourism industry and are part of the improvement and development efforts as well as to support the welfare of the people and the state [1]. As an industry, tourism is understood as the interactions between tourists, entrepreneurs/business people, government, and society. However, such a limited definition is deemed unprofitable for local communities because it does not establish how tourism can provide economic, socio-cultural, and environmental benefits for local communities around tourism spots. Often, big businesses and foreign investors from abroad or outside the region get the lion’s share of the profit instead of residents, who are mostly employed as servants and manual laborers. Ideal tourism development must be able to provide economic, social, and cultural benefits to the communities living around tourism spots. This discrepancy led to the birth of a new concept in tourism development, especially in village-based tourism, that is more
* Correspondence Address:
Arief Bakhtiar Darmawan
Email : [email protected]
Address : Jl. Profesor DR. HR Boenyamin No.708, Puwokerto, East Java 53122.
pro-community; the concept is known as Community Based Tourism (CBT). CBT is a tourism activity owned and operated by the local community so that it can contribute to the entirety of the community by developing a sustainable environment and preserving socio- cultural traditions and local natural heritages [2].
Another concept of tourism development in line with CBT is the concept of tourist village [3,4]. By implementing the CBT concept in developing a tourist village, the tourism development strategy is expected to improve the prosperity of the people and communities in and around the village. CBT focuses on the quality of tourism, such as local cultural traditions, environmental preservation, and the welfare of residents. This is very different from the concept of the tourism industry, which relies on quantity (tourist numbers) to maximize profit for investors and big businesses who have stakes in the tourism spots. With maximizing profit in mind, tourism spot managers may try to attract as many tourists as possible, resulting in mass tourism [5]. Orientation towards mass tourism may cause neglect in the preservation of nature and local culture. A large number of tourists become a double-edged sword that exploits nature for economic purposes. A famous example of such exploitation is what happens at Komodo Island National Park. The number of tourists who come to Komodo Island is apparently not proportional to maintaining and preserving the existing ecosystem, causing ecological problems such as a large volume of waste and damage to the marine ecosystem
CBT Standards as the Basis for Development in Ketenger Tourism Village (Darmawan & Anwar)
[6,7]. In other Third World countries, such as Africa, hunting safari trip packages in national parks have led to the impoverishment of local communities. Community fields that are traditionally used for livestock grazing were purchased by investors for infrastructure projects such as lodges and roads [8]. In such a case, the tourism industry becomes a destructive force.
So far, several studies that examine tourism development and community involvement have been published, such as those conducted by previous studies. Hidayati et al. [9] explained the development of religion-based and nature-based tourism in Jatinom Village. This research discusses tourism development in Jatinom that integrates all tourist destinations along the Soka River —such as the religious activities of Oro-Oro Tarwiyah, the Grand Mosque, Suran Cave and Spring, Klampeyan land, and others—into a single attractive tourist destination. Gao and Wu [10]
analyzed the revitalization of the Yuanjia traditional village as part of rural-based tourism development by changing the social and cultural structures to form a sustainable and growing community. With this revitalization, Yuanjia Village is designed to become a village with a modern community that maintains traditional and harmonious values. Meanwhile, Puspitarini &
Anggraini [11] observed the failure of the economic tourism development strategy to produce the expected trickle-down effects in rural Indonesia. Conducting a study on Bromo, Puspitarini and Anggraini [11] showed that local people only get a fraction of the benefit. The three studies above examine the relationship between nature, society, and tourism but have not yet described tourism development through the new CBT paradigm.
Research on tourism and CBT itself has been carried out by several authors [5,12,13].
Sasongko et al. highlighted the involvement of the Tourism-aware Group (Kelompok Sadar Wisata abbreviated as Pokdarwis) community in the development of CBT in the tourist destination of Pinus Kragilan, Magelang. Pokdarwis plays an important role in Pinus Kragilan tourism spot management, such as designing the labor division system and financial management [5]. Junaid et al. investigated homestay development as a means to support CBT. In this research, the presence of tourists had attracted local people to make homestays in Wakatobi tourist destinations. However, the limited number of tourists who choose homestays as lodging makes local and business people more creative in
attracting tourists and tempted to diversify [12].
Another researcher observed communication activities carried out by tourism industry actors regarding CBT in Dieng, Central Java. The results showed that Pokdarwis (tourism-aware group), tourism actors, and local governments must spend more attention on communication with tourists regarding natural and cultural aspects that may interest them. Unfortunately, not one of the aforementioned studies uses the CBT standard framework as a comprehensive analysis tool. It is at this point that this study presents a study that uses CBT criteria as an attempt to fill that knowledge gap [13].
CBT is often equalized with rural tourism. In simple terms, rural tourism means a tourism model that puts the village as a tourist destination. However, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) explains in greater detail the characteristics of rural tourism, namely (1) the population density is not too high; (2) the location is dominated by agriculture, forest, and other natural landscapes;
and (3) there is a presence of local cultural traditions [14]. In this study, CBT analysis is used to examine a tourists village in Banyumas Regency called Ketenger Tourists Village. The development of the tourism village concept began to appear in 2007 when the Indonesian Government issued the Visit Indonesia program to promote tourism in Indonesia to domestic and foreign tourists [4]. A tourist village is a form of integration between attractions, accommodation, and supporting facilities presented in a community life structure that integrates with existing procedures and traditions. A tourist village has unique appeals (it can be in the form of a unique physical environment in the rural area and the socio- cultural life of the community) packaged naturally and attractively to encourage tourist visits to the village [15].
Based on the standard CBT criteria, this study aims to analyze community participation and tourist development in Ketenger Village through CBT, along with the problems and obstacles faced in developing a tourist village that can benefit local people and improve the welfare of the local community. In addition, the results of this study are expected to become references for communities in other tourist villages in the Banyumas region as an academic text in the formulation of tourism policy-making in the Banyumas Regency.
CBT Standards as the Basis for Development in Ketenger Tourism Village (Darmawan & Anwar)
MATERIAL AND METHODS Study Area
This research was implemented in Ketenger Tourists Village in Baturraden District, Banyumas Regency,. Ketenger Tourist Village has an area of 1120.7 hectares, which consists of three hamlets, namely Ketenger Hamlet, Karangpule Hamlet, and Kalipagu Hamlet. With its beautiful natural scenery and rich cultural as well as religious traditions, Banyumas Regency is one of the districts in Indonesia with great potential in the tourism industry. Banyumas Regency has several natural tourism spots such as waterfalls (curug) in Ketenger Village, Baturraden District [17].
Ketenger Village itself consists of three hamlets, namely Karangpule Hamlet, Ketenger Hamlet and Kalipagu Hamlet. Karangpule Hamlet is located near the gate to the village. The Ketenger village office is located in this hamlet. The next hamlet is Ketenger Hamlet, which is the center of village tourism. In this hamlet, there is a Ketenger Adventure secretariat office that manages Ketenger Adventure tour packages. Meanwhile, tourists can also rent a villa near Curug Bayan.
The last hamlet is Kalipagu hamlet which is
located above the Ketenger Hamlet. In this hamlet, there is Curug Gede, various historical heritage buildings whose authenticity is still preserved, such as the Japanese heritage dam that blocked the Banjaran river, the Dutch heritage water channel that is still well maintained, and the Lemah Wangi site which is considered sacred by local residents. Kalipagu Hamlet is often visited by groups of climbers since it has one of the climbing routes to the top of Mount Slamet (Fig.1).
Ketenger Village has a variety of natural, cultural, artistic potential to become a decent tourist attraction (Table 1). Since the issuance of the Banyumas Regent Decree No.
556/1887/2000 regarding the Designation of Ketenger Village, Baturaden District, Banyumas Regency as a Tourist Village, villagers have made several efforts to transform the village into a viable tourism spot. Food stalls were built, houses began to be rented out as homestays, and a tourist village gate was built to respond to the local tourism village program, either voluntarily or coordinated by local leaders [18].
Figure 1. Location of Ketenger Tourist Village, Banyumas Regency, near Baturraden Tourist Attraction
CBT Standards as the Basis for Development in Ketenger Tourism Village (Darmawan & Anwar)
Methods
This research uses a descriptive qualitative research method. The scope of research is the development of the Tourism Village of Ketenger, Baturraden, Banyumas through Community- Based Tourism (CBT). Qualitative descriptive research emphasizes narration with detailed, complete, and in-depth descriptions of real or actual situations to support data presentation.
The number of texts used as research data must consider a combination of theoretical and practical needs. Based on the description above, the primary data collection method is a textual analysis by describing and examining texts. The texts used are official documents related to Banyumas Regency government policies in the tourism sector, development of tourism villages in Banyumas in general, and mechanisms for local community participation in the development of tourist villages in which the communities live. These documents include regional regulations, regent regulations, and decrees or circular letters. This method allows the researcher to obtain relevant data regarding what extent the tourism communities have aligned their performance with the current regulations.
The study also uses in-depth interviews and participatory observation. The two data collection methods are either used simultaneously or separately, according to need.
These methods try to develop alternative conceptions of social-humanities knowledge that are more oriented towards the importance of inter-relational and meaningful communication rather than being trapped in quantitative- positivistic numbers [16]. In that regard, participants in in-depth interviews are more positioned as active producers of meaning and not only passively positioned as information suppliers. In this study, participants in in-depth interviews are all stakeholders in the tourism sector, especially those related to the
development of the tourist village: the Head of the Human Resources Development Section of Youth Tourism, Culture, and Tourism Banyumas, Mr. BR; local government office Mr. DD and Mr.
AS (also Pokdarwis managers); Pokdarwis member Mr. CT; shopkeepers near Curug Bayan and Curug Gede; and homestay owner in Ketenger. The interview and observation enabled the researcher to collect data related to the efforts of tourism actors in Ketenger village in achieving the standards set forth by the ASEAN community-based tourism.
The data obtained from the interviews and observation were evaluated against four categories of CBT standards: fully meets requirements (FMR), partially meets requirements (PMR), fail to meet requirements (FTMR), and not implemented (NI). The categories illustrate whether the CBT standards in tourism management are thoroughly accomplished by the entire Ketenger Village (FMR), thoroughly met by some tourist attractions but not others (PRM), met in one criterion but still below the standards (FTMR), or non-existent entirely in the management (NI).
Data Analysis
This study used CBT analysis to formulate the strategy for tourism development in Ketenger Village. Globalization and technological advances make the movement of people from one region to another easier. It makes the local community, along with its social culture, traditions, and resources, can no longer shut itselves off from the outside world. In addition, the governments of various countries are also competing to attract tourists to boost the tourism industry. In tourism studies, community-based tourism (CBT) is an alternative concept that encourages environmental sustainability, sustainability of local culture or traditions, and strengthening local communities [19].
Table 1. Tourist Attraction in Ketenger Village
Variety Tourist Attraction
Natural tourism Curug Gede, Curug Bayan, Curug Celiling, Curug Jenggala, Curug Penganten, Curug Brajawingin, Curug Kembar, Curug Gumeng, Curug Petir
Cultural tourism Ebeg (kuda lumping/jaran kepang), Siteran (a Javanese gamelan stringed musical instrument), Begalan (a combination of dance and art. comedy accompanied by gamelan music), and Rengkong (an art that presents sounds)
Heritage tourism Lemah Wangi (sacred site), Japanese heritage dam, Dutch heritage water channel
Adventure tours flying fox, tree tracking, jungle tracking, gembus boats, and various other interactive games
Source: Processed by Authors (2021).
CBT Standards as the Basis for Development in Ketenger Tourism Village (Darmawan & Anwar)
Table 2. Criteria for ASEAN Community Based Tourism
No. Criteria Explanation
1. Community ownership and management Community management is elected every five years; has clear work management; has a clear regulatory umbrella; has a transparent financial system; has a long-term plan.
2. Contribution to social welfare Free from sex tourism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and child exploitation; involving youth; transparent profit sharing; the dominant presence of local people and products, strengthening local culture in the process.
3. Contribution to preserving and improving the environment
Clear planning and identification for conservation; there is funding to support conservation programs; waste management system does not harm human health and the environment.
4. Encourage interaction between local communities and guests
Communities provide information on the cultural and natural environment; provide opportunities for tourists to contribute to community activities; encourage feedbacks from tourists.
5. Quality tour and guide services Guides have relevant certifications; guides are committed to making visitors see and learn about the local community, culture, and environment.
6. Quality food and beverages service Hygienic food and beverages; availability of clear price lists; tourists are given the opportunity to experience preparing local foods and learn traditional cooking techniques.
7. Quality accommodation Provide experiences for tourists to enjoy local life and exchange knowledge with the host; the house is safe, clean, and comfortable.
8. CBT friendly tour operator performance Officially licensed and registered tour operator; member of a professional organization; strives for safe and comfortable travel.
Source: Processed by Authors from ASEAN Secretariat [2].
The concept of CBT is an alternative to mass tourism that tries to attract as many tourists as possible. In the 1970s, the CBT concept emerged as an approach that takes into account social justice and equitable distribution of global welfare [20]. It then slowly turned towards sustainable development in tourism, which has four main elements: natural and cultural resources, community, management, and raising awareness regarding the preservation of nature, culture, and local traditions in the tourism industry. However, CBT is not merely about generating income for local communities but more about how tourism can wholly contribute to the development of local communities [19].
Academics themselves have differing opinions about what community means in CBT. Saayman and Giampiccoli [21] assume that independent initiatives could be part of the community. Other researchers, Jugmohan and Steyn [22], see unitary communities that fall under the same umbrella organization are also CBT actors.
Meanwhile, Ballesteros [23] observed that the concept of the community must be seen from the perspective of collective action and the daily communal interaction that has a common goal, rather than just from a structural perspective of organization or ownership of resources. From these various definitions, this article defined a community as a group of local people who have a common goal and take collective action in
achieving this common goal. In Indonesia, such a community is established under the name Pokdarwis or Kelompok Sadar Wisata (Tourism- aware Group). Here, pokdarwis is a community consisting of local people who play an active role in raising awareness about the roles and responsibilities of hosts as well as their rights and needs as tourism industry actors [24]. Table 2 presents the lists of criteria observed in the CBT.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The concept of tourism has begun to experience a shift. Initially, modern tourism prevails as the dominant perspective but later concerned that tourism should pay more attention to nature, environment, socio-culture, economy, and attractively packaged art performances or attractions. The experience of traveling not only should consist of enjoying the scenery but also of interaction between tourists and the community and daily life in the tourist village. This interaction is one of the most underlined importance of tourism development through community-based tourism (CBT) in tourist villages in Indonesia, especially in Ketenger Village, Banyumas Regency.
Ketenger Village has two community organizations involved in the management of Ketenger Tourism Village, namely Pokdarwis Ketenger Adventure and Pokdarwis Gita Gumilang. Currently, Pokdarwis Gita Gumilang is not active because it does not have any running
CBT Standards as the Basis for Development in Ketenger Tourism Village (Darmawan & Anwar)
programs. Based on an interview with Mr. CT, the head of Pokdarwis Gita Gumilang, Pokdarwis Gita Gumilang was founded in 1998 and has been on hiatus since 2006. In fact, Gita Gumilang was actually one of the pilot programs and served as a benchmark for other pokdarwis in the Baturraden area, Banyumas. However, due to the vacuum, Pokdarwis Gita Gumilang only presented a few agendas, such as the Suroan Tradition agenda. Therefore, the community in this study mostly refers to Pokdarwis Ketenger Adventure, which is still quite active in the middle of the pandemic Covid-19.
Assessment of CBT Criteria in Community Participation
In the CBT concept, community participation is of utmost importance in tourism management.
The results of the field observations and interviews with the stakeholders are evaluated using the aforementioned criteria of CBT. To fully evaluate Ketengger Tourist Village using the previously mentioned criteria, this article examines each of the criteria and evaluates to what extent the village has conformed to the criterion. The criteria used by authors were fully meets requirements, partially meets requirements, fail to meet requirements, and not implemented to evaluate point by point (abbreviated as FMR, PMR, FTMR, and NI).
The first criterion is community ownership and management (Table 3). Ketenger Tourism Village is managed by pokdarwis. Pokdarwis Ketenger Adventure is a community established to manage tourism in Ketenger Village. Ketenger Adventure was founded in 2004, but it was only in 2011 that it officially became the administrator of the Ketenger Tourism Village through the Decree of the Head of the Banyumas Regency Youth, Sports, Culture, and Tourism Office Number 556/ 013.A/I/2011. The division of labor in the pokdarwis is based on members' skills.
Routine meetings are held once a month, while service evaluation meetings are also held every time a tour package activity is concluded.
The development of tourist villages is regulated through the Regional Regulation of the Province of Central Java Number 2 of 2019 concerning the Empowerment of Tourism Villages in Central Java Province. This regional regulation regulates the objectives of tourism village development as contained in article 3, namely providing guidelines for the management and development of local culture-based tourism
in accordance with regional development planning; guaranteeing the preservation of local cultural values containing the life structure, procedures, and traditions that exist in the community; improve the welfare of the tourists’
village community; as well as developing tourism institutions and tourism governance capable of synergizing the development of tourism destinations, tourism marketing, and the tourism industry in a professional manner.
Meanwhile, in article 4, it is stated that the scope of the regional regulation includes:
empowerment strategies and the basis for development, requirements to be designated as a tourists village, management of tourism villages, development of tourism villages, community empowerment, development of tourism village attractions, tourism businesses in tourism villages, regional government obligations, community participation, cooperation, financing, as well as guidance and supervision. However, the pokdarwis of Ketenger Tourism Village still depend on their elders and the village government [25]. According to the Head of the Human Resources Development Section of Youth Tourism, Culture, and Tourism, Banyumas [26], this dependence could lead to instability within the pokdarwis organization when village politics experiences changes or turmoil. Therefore, Bahrudin suggested that pokdarwis management should be more professional and be separated from village politics.
The second criterion is a contribution to social welfare (Table 4). Pokdarwis Ketenger Adventure involves the youth of Ketenger Village in managing tourism. However, some youths are often unprofessional because they do not really feel the need for income [25]. Although not all villagers are involved voluntarily and actively in tourism activities, the level of citizen participation in tourism continues to increase. It can be seen from the increasing number of stalls, homestays, and other services offered independently by residents to tourists.
Accordingly, men and women share equal opportunities to offer services and assistance for tourism activities. Ketenger Tourism Village also does not include sex tourism, is free from drug trafficking and human trafficking, and does not exploit children. Regarding the local products offered, Pokdarwis Ketenger Village still relies on the Baturraden uniqueness rather than the Ketenger Tourism Village local brand.