Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Widiyanti Apresiasi Astra Rawat Budaya Osing Lewat Program Desa Sejahtera Kemiren

Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana appreciates Astra's assistance to residents of Sejahtera Astra Kemiren Village, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java/DOK IST

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana appreciates Astra's assistance to residents of Sejahtera Astra Kemiren Village, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java.

The assistance is considered to strengthen the preservation of Osing culture as well as opening up economic space through the development of tourist villages.

Widiyanti visited Sejahtera Astra Kemiren Village on Saturday (25/7/). He was accompanied by Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani Azwar Anas, Deputy Head of Destination and Infrastructure Development of the Ministry of Tourism Reza Pahlevi, Head of Environment & Social Responsibility Astra Diah Suran Febrianti, and Sejahtera Astra Kemiren Village Mover Mohammad Edy Saputro.

During the visit, the entourage reviewed the cultural and creative economic activities of the Osing community. Starting from the art of Gejog Lesung, the process of roasting Osing Coffee, making traditional kucur cakes, making coconut leaf woven bags, to local products in the Micro, Small and Medium Business Corner (UMKM) of the Tourism Village.

"Thank you to Astra for supporting and nurturing the Astra Kemiren Sejahtera Village. This support is part of efforts to strengthen the development of quality and sustainable tourism destinations based on culture," said Widiyanti.

Astra also handed over assistance to the Astra Kemiren Sejahtera Village in the form of 20 compost units, 50 homestay equipment packages, and the construction of an amphitheater. The assistance was given to support the development of a quality and sustainable cultural-based tourist village.

Astra Boy Kelana Soebroto, Chief of Corporate Affairs Astra, said the visit by the Minister of Tourism was an appreciation for the people of Kemiren who consistently maintain the Osing culture.

"This visit is an appreciation for the spirit of the community who continue to maintain the Osing culture, as well as showing that cultural preservation can go hand in hand with the development of tourist villages and the improvement of people's welfare," said Boy.

He hopes that this spirit will continue to grow so that the Osing culture remains sustainable and provides sustainable benefits for the community.

The Kemiren community has maintained various Osing traditions, such as the Barong Ider Bumi and Tumpeng Sewu customary ceremonies, Gandrung Dance, local cuisine, traditional music, to typical Osing architecture. These traditions are not only the identity of the village, but also an attraction that drives the economic activities of the residents.

Astra has strengthened the development of the village since 2024 through the Astra Sejahtera Village program. Together with residents and local movers, this program targets four areas, namely health, education, environment, and entrepreneurship.

Assistance is carried out through the strengthening of posyandu and early childhood education (PAUD), waste management and biogas development, empowerment of MSMEs, capacity building of the Sadar Wisata Group (Pokdarwis), and the development of homestays and supporting facilities for tourist villages.

The program has reached around 300 Kemiren residents. Currently there are 50 homestays with a total of 92 rooms, 40 local business actors in the culinary, craft, and coffee sectors, and 40 Pokdarwis members who are involved in managing tourist villages and preserving the Osing culture.

The average income of Pokdarwis members is said to have increased by 33 percent. This development shows that cultural preservation can be a source of livelihood while opening up new economic opportunities at the village level.

Kemiren has also received a number of awards since 2019, including the Wonderful Indonesia Impact, the Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI), and the ASEAN Tourism Award 2025. At the international level, the Astra Kemiren Sejahtera Village is included in The Best Tourism Village Upgrade Program 2025.