TANGERANG - The development of a tourist village has proven to be a driving force for the local economy in Tebara Village, West Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. Throughout 2025, tourist visits to the village jumped 67 percent, with total revenue reaching IDR 1.414 billion from just one tourist village.
The head of Tebara Village, Marthen Ragowinobira, said the surge in visits was the result of the improvement of the management of the tourist village, which was carried out in a targeted manner, especially through the strengthening of human resources (HR) and institutions.
"Previously, the community often received funds without knowing what to do, what potential villages needed to be improved and financed. This is where BCA's role is very useful because it is direct to the point, human resources, systems, and governance of tourist villages," said Marthen in a discussion session of BCA Service - Local Champions which was part of the BCA Expoversary series at ICE BSD, Tangerang, Thursday, February 5.
Marthen explained that the management of the Tebara tourist village was built from upstream to downstream. Starting from the formation of a tourist awareness group, the preparation of a tourist package, to the training of local guides.
Furthermore, Marthen said that this approach is slowly shifting the village economy structure which previously relied solely on the agricultural sector.
"The BCA Village Service Program helps us build a system. Especially targeting young people. In the past, many young people left the area because of limited employment opportunities. Now, with tourism competence, they can become tourism actors in their own villages," said Marthen.
Marthen said that the transformation had a direct impact on the status of village development. Now, Tebara is in the category of advanced villages and is only one step away from being a self-sufficient village.
"It's just one level away from a self-sufficient village, and it's in line with the entry of the BCA program," he said.
Marthen said the positive impact of the development of the Tebara tourist village was also recognized at the regional level by winning the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award 2026 for the Rural Product category.
Marthen said that the award was not something instantaneous. Starting from the arrangement of human resources, tourism institutions, training of local tour guides, preparation of tourist packages, to packaging local potential.
In addition, Marthen emphasized that the economic benefits of tourism are not only felt by young people, but also by all layers of the village community.
"It's not just young people. Village people are also involved. Even those with low education can still work and be empowered. This is what we call tourism that really raises villages," he said.
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