Depok-The tourism sector is one of the main factors in driving the economy of village communities. As an effort to develop tourism potential in villages, the Student Executive Board (BEM) for the Vocational Education Program, Universitas Indonesia (UI) is bringing back the Bina Desa 12 Vokasi UI work program in Kubang Baros Village, Cinangka District, Serang Regency, Banten Province. Bina Desa 12 Vokasi UI is a work program that aims to develop assisted villages so that the community can make good use of the potential of tourism and MSMEs, as well as improving living standards through health check programs. On October 1, 2023, Bina Desa 12 Vokasi UI successfully carried out a Focus Group Discussion with the Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) from Kubang Baros Village with educational material related to tourism development presented by four lecturers from the Vocational Education Program, namely Thesa Adi Purwanto, S.Sos., M.Ti.; Febrian, M.Sc.; Mahadewi, S.Sos., M.M.; and Sancoko, S.Sos., M.E. This activity was attended by 35 people from Kubang Baros Village consisting of representatives of Pokdarwis and MSMEs.
Kubang Baros Village itself has two ecological tourist attractions, namely Curug Betung and Bukit Haremis, as well as one wellness tourism attraction, Embah Bulu Waja Hot Springs. Thesa said that Kubang Baros Village has great natural tourism potential. “We hope that this Bina Desa activity will continue. As we know, Kubang Baros Village is a pioneering tourist village which can then become a developing village, and then become a developed tourist village. The potential of Kubang Baros Village is very large, especially with the Betung Waterfall which is located close to the beach,” said Thesa.
In line with Thesa, Febrian stated that tourism in Kubang Baros Village has a great attraction and its potential can be maximized if it is adapted to the Recapitulation of Indonesian National Work Competency Standards (RSKKNI) in the field of village tourism. For example, such as developing an appropriate management structure, increasing the variety of destinations, and creating integrated MSMEs.
Meanwhile, Mahadewi, one of the service lecturers, believes that the development of the tourist guiding sector in Kubang Baros Village can create many real positive impacts. She said, “Tour guides must be able to act as good communicators, hosts, administrators and mediators with characteristics that are insightful, disciplined and in accordance with regulations. With competent tour guides, tourist attractions in Kubang Baros Village can be increasingly known to the wider community.”
Implementation of the development stages of Kubang Baros Village as a tourist village will be divided into the pilot stage, developing stage, advanced stage and independent stage. In the process, it requires an inventory of various sources, market analysis, and identification of potential that has a big influence on the development and marketing of tourist villages. Developing Kubang Baros Village as a tourist village can be done through environmental preservation, holding attractions, creating easy access, and collaborating with various institutions involved in the business and tourism sectors. Marketing can be done through various types of promotions, including digital marketing and collaboration between tourist villages.
“I hope that with the outreach from this Bina Desa Vokasi UI activity, our village can become a developing, advanced and independent tourist village,” said Muhammad Rosyid, Chairman of RW 1 of Kubang Baros Village who participated and was a beneficiary of the Bina Desa 12 Vokasi UI.
Bina Desa 12 Vokasi UI does not stop here. The next series will be held on October 26-29, 2023 which will focus on the digitalization of MSMEs and health. Through this activity, it is hoped that it can help develop Kubang Baros Village in the future.
