Depok-Bali always has its charms, starting from its tourism, culture, and arts attractions. One village that has an attraction in the field of tourism is Kenderan Village. The village is an old village located in Gianyar Regency, Bali with attractive tourism potential and can be developed. Because of this potential, in 2021, Kenderan Village will receive the Indonesian Tourism Village Award from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia.
To further elevate the tourism potential of Kenderan Village, lecturers from the Vocational Education Program, Universitas Indonesia (UI), namely Hadining Kusumastuti, S.Sos., M.Ak.; Dr. Diaz Pranita, M.M.; and Mila Viendyasari, S.Sos., M.Si., took part in initiating the holding of the Kenderan Living Culture Festival in Kenderan Village, Gianyar, Bali, on 9–11 December 2022. The inaugural festival of Kenderan Village aims to promote noble traditions, such as Mekukung, Ngaturang Tirta Ening, and Mepeed, as well as introduce the world to the uniqueness of Kenderan Village in the form of the archaeological site of the Nekara Printing Stone and Sarcophagus, eleven beji, and three castles.
(Photo: Opening of the Kenderan Living Culture Festival in Kenderan Village)
The Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, appreciated the efforts made by Kenderan Village. He said that Indonesia could be proud because it has a village that is not only beautiful, but also has a community that is committed to preserving the environment by implementing a circular economy based on a green economy. “Hopefully a program like this can be adopted by other villages throughout Indonesia, so that the green circular economy in Indonesia can grow faster,” said Sandi.
The Kenderan Living Culture Festival was officially opened by the Regent of Gianyar, I Made Mahayastra, at Jaba Pura Griya Sakti Manuaba, Kenderan Village. In his opening remarks, Mahayastra said that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was being felt by the tourism sector, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and the creative economy.
(Photo: Dance performance at the opening of the Kenderan Living Culture Festival)
“The Kenderan Living Culture Festival is expected to be a moment for MSMEs and tourism actors to rise and create a significant impact. Grateful that we can live normally and carry out activities that must be carried out as a tourism area. Moreover, Kenderan Village is 1 of the 10 best tourist villages in Indonesia,” said Mahayastra.
The UI Vocational research team chose the tourism promotion theme “The Village of Holly Water–Wellness Tourism Destination and Circular Green Economy Oriented”. According to Hadining, holding this festival is expected to be the first step in realizing the ideals of Kenderan Village to become a circular-oriented village that is environmentally friendly. He believes that with the strong will and determination of all stakeholders, a Circular Economy-based Sustainable Tourism Village can be realized.
(Photo: Kenderan Living Culture Festival in Kenderan Village)
In addition, Kenderan Village as a tourism village that utilizes a circular economy has the potential to become a digital-based sustainable smart tourism village. This concept focuses on how business entities apply the principles of sustainable production in the tourism value chain to create a tourism experience with tourists and integrated into a tourism system that supports environmental sustainability.
According to the UI Vocational research team, the circular economy concept is expected to be the uniqueness of Kenderan Village as well as solving various waste problems from households, agriculture, woodcraft industry products, and waste from leftover religious or traditional ceremonial activities. With the commitment of various parties, green energy can be implemented in the village through the empowerment of environmentally friendly local energy sources.
