Impact Bootcamp Encourages Sustainable Tourism In Bali

JAKARTA - Impact Bootcamp, an intensive program that aims to equip participants with innovation skills in community empowerment programs through community-based tourism, was just held in Bali, on 5-7 July.

This program made by Social Impact focuses on utilizing local culture and values as community-based tourism forces.

With the theme Establishing Sustainable Tourism by Combining Local Values and Culture, this activity was held in Penglipuran Village and Aan Village. These two villages have been recognized as Sustainable Villages by Certified Tourism and received international awards from UNWTO.

This Impact Bootcamp aims to inspire and improve participant knowledge about the concept of sustainable community empowerment.

"We hope that this activity will form an ecosystem that creates a positive impact in the environment of each participant, both from companies, foundations, academics, social media influencers, and practitioners," said Founder & Director of Social Impact.ID, Rio Zakarias W. in a media statement, Monday, July 8.

The exploration of Penglipuran Village Tourism Village and Aan Village is the main location of this program. Penglipuran Village, located in Kubu, Bangli District, is recognized by UNWTO as the Best Tourism Village in the World in 2023.

This village is famous for its traditional architecture, bamboo forests, and strong Balinese culture. All the workers in this village come from local residents, reflecting sustainable tourism practices.

Aan Village, in Banjarankan District, Klungkung Regency, has also been recognized as a Tourism Village since 2021. This village has the potential for natural tourism in the form of hills, rice fields, waterfalls, and rivers. In addition, there is also the potential for agro-ecotourism such askele honey cultivation, traditional agriculture, and art museums.

Social Impact.ID designs four key activities: Inspiration and Impact Talks, Village Walks, Cultural Attraction, and Experience. Participants are invited to visit the village's natural potential, get to know the rich culture through the Barong Macan attraction in the Corruption Village Festival, and enjoy authentic dinner in Penglipuran Village.

Dodi Kurniawan Wibowo from Bumdes Friendly Sejahtera Ngale Village, Paron, Ngawi, admitted that he increasingly understands the importance of local wisdom for the development of sustainable tourism.

Meanwhile, Alfa Rullyanto, CEO of Sinergie Enterprise, noted that the results of this bootcamp are in line with the goal of creating a sustainable ecosystem for future generations.

In the Inspiration and Impact Talks sessions, participants studied traditional Balinese diversity, architecture, and local culinary. The material was delivered by Gede Kresna and Ayu Islam from Rumah Intarian, Ni Kadek Putri A from Pratisara Bumi Foundation, I Wayan Budirta, traditional village head Penglipuran, and Maria R Nindita Radyati, PhD, Founder and Presdir Institute for Sustainability and Agility (ISA).

The Impact Bootcamp also emphasizes the importance of minimizing the negative impact of tourism and maximizing its positive benefits, including maintaining biodiversity and encouraging tourists to act responsibly.