UNAIR NEWS – East Java Government has promoted the development of the tourism industry. One is developing a new tourism village under Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes). Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) tourism expert Novianto Edi Suharno SST PAR MSI mentioned the necessity of arrangement and attention regarding several things.
Developing a tourism village does not cost highly because various resources exist there. The tourism village will later form a community empowerment model otherwise known as CBT (community-based tourism).
“To realize this, it is necessary first to recognize the potential of the village. Joint commitment between the elements (BUMDes and village communities, ed) is also needed. So it will have an impact on sustainable tourism,” he said.
According to the Vice Dean III of the Faculty of Vocational Studies, tourism villages must consider the facilities. Among them are accommodations, food and beverages, and tourist transportation. It includes easy access and transportation.
In maintaining the tourism sector during a pandemic, Anto recommended three steps: adaptation, innovation, and collaboration.
“This adaptation can be applied to food and beverages services which there have been many delivery services,” he mentioned.
Anto added that delivery services required special skills. For example, in designing food packaging that is suitable for the product
“Innovations are needed in tourism services, including marketing. Nowadays, everything is digital-based. The manager must be able to market their tourism digitally to expand more,” he explained.
Innovations are also necessary for tourism products. Tourist attraction manager must update their activities in the village. That way, tourists can enjoy and not get bored observing the activity.
“Currently Work From Home (WFH) is still applied, so innovations such as co-working spaces can be established in tourism villages. So that tourist can Work from Village or WFD,” he uttered.
Furthermore, the desire to go on a vacation without meeting many people has changed tour package service trends. Anto said tourism industry players must start innovating to provide exclusive tour package services or small groups. So that tourists feel safer and reduce the potential for transmission of the virus during the holidays.
“Tourists and managers must obey and implement the existing rules. Currently, tourism spots managers and many restaurants are certified CHSE standards of hygiene, health, safety, and environmental sustainability protocols. It is a way for the tourism sector to continue to run,” he explained.
Collaboration is also necessary to be done by all elements. The goal is to develop one CEMARA (Smart, Independent and Prosperous) tourism village in the East Java area. “Commitments from all parties are needed to synergize and innovate for East Java to rise,” he mentioned. (*)
Author: Alysa Intan Santika
Editor: Feri Fenoria
