Digital Transformation In Building Tourism For Mother Earth

Labuan Bajo is the gateway for world tourism (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - In today's digital era, technology is an innovative solution to develop village tourism, by presenting a visitor management system.

This not only strengthens the local economy, but also expands accessibility for tourists to explore the tourism potential that exists across the country.

One of them is the figure of Reza Permadi who uses technology to develop and build tourist villages in Indonesia by creating an Atourin Visitor Management System (AVMS) which allows tourism village managers to manage tourist arrivals efficiently and market their products more widely through technology, as well as accelerate the digitization of the tourism sector in Indonesia.

In the midst of the challenges of internet infrastructure that are still limited in many Indonesian tourist villages, AVMS is here as a digital solution to help tourism destination managers manage tourist arrivals in a sustainable manner.

Through this platform, tourist villages can now market their products more widely, as well as accelerate the digitization of the tourism sector throughout the country.

The figure of Reza Permadi is a recipient of the 2023 Indonesia Awards for individual technology categories.

Reza conveyed the idea to create an Atourin Visitor Management System (AVMS) starting from a college assignment taken by a Sustainable Tourism Masters student.

Where in conducting market research, it was found that many tourism village managers in Indonesia needed technological solutions to manage tourist arrivals more effectively and sustainably.

From there, together with his colleagues, he decided to develop AVMS, a platform that aims to help managers of tourism destinations in managing visitors as well as marketing their tourist products.

"Initially it was a college assignment when I studied at the Sustainable Tourism Master, it turned out that the results of market research to tourism village managers were that they needed this technology, so I and my colleagues made an Atourin Visitor Management System (AVMS)," he explained to VOI, Friday, November 8.

Meanwhile, AVMS is a technology-based visitor management system designed to help tourist destination managers manage tourist arrivals more organized and sustainable.

This system not only allows managers to monitor and regulate the number of visitors, but also makes it easier for them to market tourist products such as tour packages, attractions, homestays, and events.

In addition, all tourist products can be registered through partner.atourin.com platforms, and then tourists can find and order these products through atourin.com.

With this technology, AVMS is a bridge between tourism village managers and tourists who want to explore various local potentials throughout Indonesia.

Reza explained that along with the development of AVMS, the big challenge faced was that the internet infrastructure was not evenly distributed, especially in remote tourist villages. In some tourist villages, some even do not have adequate internet access.

In addition, according to Reza, digital literacy in these villages is still relatively low, which causes some managers to reject this new technology.

To overcome this problem, Reza said that together with his team, he collaborated with the government and the private sector to improve internet infrastructure and organize digital literacy training programs for rural communities. Thus, it is hoped that AVMS technology can be accepted and utilized by more tourist villages in Indonesia.

Inspiration Behind Atourin

Reza said that the development of AVMS cannot be separated from the inspiration obtained from big figures in the world of tourism and technology. The two figures who have a big influence are Joop Ave and Sandiaga Uno.

According to Reza, the two of them are former tourism ministers who have experience working with the community at various levels, providing an understanding that tourism development must involve active community participation.

"Joop Ave and Sandiaga Uno, the reason is because they are both former tourism ministers who work with the community at all levels," he explained.

In addition, Reza conveyed another figure, namely Onno W. Purbo, a technology pioneer who teaches the importance of the internet to remote villages, is also one of the inspirational figures. Through his enthusiasm in introducing the internet to rural communities, many regions can now use technology for various purposes, including tourism development.

User Response And Impact Of AVMS

Reza said that in the implementation of AVMS, there were various responses from the community, especially tourism village managers, who were very positive. Many feel an economic increase because their tourism products are promoted more broadly and effectively.

"One of the AVMS users, one of whom is the Tourism Village Manager, feels that the economic improvement in his village and village tourism products has been promoted properly and widely," he said.

According to Reza from the tourist side, AVMS also provides convenience in finding tourist destinations in villages that may previously be difficult to access. The diversity of choices of destinations and tourist products makes the travel experience richer and more attractive.

"User Atourin, which incidentally is a domestic tourist, is happy because there is a choice of traveling to villages throughout Indonesia," he explained.

Astra's Role In AVMS

Reza conveyed that the 2023 Indonesia Awards were awards given by Astra to young people who contributed to building the nation.

"Astra saw that my work and friends at Atourin to implement AVMS technology to Tourism Villages throughout Indonesia were quite good so they were appreciated through the 14th One Indonesia Awards program in 2023," he added.

In addition, Reza said that Astra began to introduce the Astra Certified Village (KBA) or Sejahtera Astra Village program to his party, such as the Semandung Dewi Event program in Wayang Tourism Village, which is the Astra Certified Village (KBA) in 2024.

In this program, Reza explained that Astra asked the village to adopt the AVMS system so that visitors can make reservations and village managers have a more organized visitor database.

"Astra asked the village to implement the AVMS system so that visitors can make reservations and the management of the Tourism Village can have a visitor database," he explained.

AVMS Target

Reza said that currently the AVMS system has been adopted in 244 tourist villages spread across 23 provinces, and based on data from the Ministry of Tourism, in 2024 the number of tourist villages in Indonesia will reach 6,016.

Therefore, Reza conveyed that his party has a long-term vision, namely targeting to digitize all 6,016 tourist villages and hopes that AVMS can be a solution that accelerates digital transformation in the local tourism sector in the next five years.

"Our target is that 6,000 Tourism Villages in Indonesia can be digitized through AVMS in the next 5 years," he said.

Tips For Young Entrepreneurs

For young entrepreneurs who want success, Reza conveyed that the need for commitment and consistency is the main key. "Many were only enthusiastic at the beginning but switched in the middle," said the founder of AVMS.

According to Reza, the biggest mistake he has made in this business trip is a mindset that is too dominant towards society.

"Initially I was too dominant, at this time I only focused on people who wanted to and did not force it," he explained.

It is important to always listen to the needs and desires of the community, and not rush in implementing change. Success comes when the solution offered really benefits the people who are served.