Developing Cultural Tourism Concept, Astra-Assisted Bugisan Village Income Rises 56.3 Percent
The Astra Prosperous Village of Bugisan in Prambanan District, Klaten Regency, Central Java, continues to explore community-based cultural and tourism potential. Since receiving assistance from PT Astra International Tbk in 2022, the village’s tourism income has increased by 56.3 percent. Tourism sector income, previously recorded at Rp491 million, has now reached Rp767 million. The growth is supported by the development of traditional arts, local crafts, educational tourism, and tour packages that invite visitors to experience village community life first-hand.
Deputy Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Veronica Tan visited the Astra Prosperous Village of Bugisan to observe the implementation of the living culture concept, which promotes culture, daily life, and local potential as the main attraction of the tourism village concept. Veronica was accompanied by Astra’s Head of Environment & Social Responsibility Diah Suran Febrianti and Astra Prosperous Village of Bugisan Mobiliser Rudi Riono.
Astra Chief of Corporate Affairs Boy Kelana Soebroto said the development of local potential is expected to create added value as well as sustainable economic benefits for the community. “Through the Prosperous Village Programme, Astra continues to encourage communities to develop their various local potentials so that they can provide added value and sustainable benefits. We believe that collaboration between communities, government, businesses, and various stakeholders is an important part of strengthening village self-reliance and opening more opportunities for the community,” Boy said.
The series of activities was centred at Paseban Candi Kembar. Veronica was welcomed with Gejog Lesung traditional music, then viewed various micro, small, and medium enterprise products managed by local women. She also took part in a number of community activities, from making emping crackers, enjoying traditional herbal medicine, painting masks, to making ecoprint. These activities are part of the experience-based tourism concept developed by the Bugisan community.
Not only relying on culture, the village located on the southern side of Plaosan Temple also connects the tourism sector with food security programmes. Veronica inspected demonstration plots consisting of rice fields, laying duck and catfish farming, as well as Black Soldier Fly maggot management.