South East Asia (SEA)

A dramatic shift is taking place in the charming town of Cikondang, located in the Cianjur Regency of West Java, Indonesia. The local community has come together to transform their town into a successful tourist destination, driven by a shared ambition to promote tourism, conserve cultural heritage, and safeguard the environment. The journey began in 2017 when the village head, Mr. Asep, spearheaded the initiative with the support of the local youth group, Karang Taruna. Together, they formed a dedicated tourism management team, comprising sub-teams for marketing, hospitality, security, and sanitation. A cooperative was established to manage finances, ensuring equitable distribution of profits among the villagers. Challenges abounded, primarily in the form of inadequate infrastructure – deficient roads, electricity, water, and accommodation. Undeterred, the resilient villagers pooled their resources and skills to effect positive change. They constructed roads, installed solar panels, d...