Depok-Lecturers and students from the Tourism Business Management study program, Vocational Education Program at the Universitas Indonesia (UI), held a community service activity in Cibuntu Tourism Village, Kuningan, on July 20, 2025. This activity aims to empower the village community by focusing on Sapta Pesona, the seven essential values of national tourism: safety, orderliness, cleanliness, coolness, beauty, hospitality, and memories.
This initiative was motivated by data from the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration (2023), which shows that 80% of tourist villages in Indonesia still require support for human resource (HR) and infrastructure development. Cibuntu Tourism Village was chosen because of its strong track record, including its 5th place in the 2016 ASEAN Community-Based Tourism Awards and its inclusion in the top 50 of the 2021 Indonesian Tourism Village Awards (ADWI). The village is known for its strong community and natural attractions, including archaeological sites, springs, sheep villages, and community-managed homestays.
One of the community service activities carried out was the inauguration of the Sapta Pesona sign, which symbolizes the internalization of the seven core values of national tourism: safety, orderliness, cleanliness, coolness, beauty, hospitality, and memories. The sign is intended to serve as a reminder and encourage the community to maintain the quality of memorable tourism experiences.
(Photo: Symbolic presentation of the Sapta Pesona sign to Cibuntu Tourism Village)
The students and lecturers at Cibuntu Tourism Village provided tourism photography training for youth and MSMEs, encouraged digital promotion based on local wisdom, and improved the quality of local product packaging to increase market competitiveness. They also introduced knowledge on providing evacuation routes and disaster signage as an effort to build disaster-resilient villages, implementing sanitation and hygiene in public facilities, and integrating the Sapta Pesona values into daily tourism services for residents.
According to Anisatul Auliya, SST.Par., M.Par., one of the community service lecturers, collaboration and a participatory approach are crucial. “We don’t just come and provide training, but we also listen to their needs. We want to foster a sense of ownership so that this tourism potential is sustainable,” she said.
Ibnu, Secretary of the Cibuntu Tourism Village, welcomed the initiative. “In addition to the tourist attractions, we hope our hospitality and service will leave a positive impression. We hope tourists will take home fond memories and want to return,” he said.
This community service activity is part of the regular “Java Bali Overland Tour (JBO) 2025” series organized by the Tourism Business Management Study Program. Through the synergy between vocational education and community empowerment, UI Vocational hopes that Cibuntu Village will continue to develop as a leading community-based destination, while maintaining its cultural authenticity and environmental sustainability.
