UI and Binus University Compete to Develop Tomohon
Kakaskasen Dua Village in Tomohon, North Sulawesi, a recipient of the 2023 Indonesian Tourism Village Award, is a must-visit destination for those seeking cool and beautiful landscapes in Central Indonesia. Nestled between Mount Lokon and Mount Mahawu, the village boasts highland natural charm, religious tourism, flower cultivation centres, and rich local wisdom. Beyond its scenic beauty, the village is renowned as a floral hub for the annual Tomohon International Flower Festival (TIFF) held every August.
Located approximately 32 km from Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado, the village possesses significant potential alongside several challenges that need addressing. These include strengthening the digital capacity of the community and MSMEs (covering sustainable financial systems, business legality, and halal certification), managing tourism potential to ensure broader economic impact, and developing sustainable tourism concepts involving local residents. Other priorities include promoting healthy lifestyles to reduce non-communicable diseases, optimising village branding, preserving local history, and increasing youth involvement in village development.
Driven by these challenges, two teams from the University of Indonesia (UI) and Binus University are competing with ideas in the ‘Genera-Z Berbakti 2026’ programme to implement community service projects in the area. The KATALIS team from the University of Indonesia proposes a plan for tourism development and MSME empowerment through three solutions: 1. Artha-Floria, featuring eco-print workshops and eco-friendly packaging; 2. Nature Experience, providing wellness tourism modules and capacity building for tourism operators; and 3. Kakaskasen Dua Tourism Village Stories, involving the creation of a village website with interactive story map features.
Competing closely, the AKSARA team from Binus University has focused its proposal on the challenges of cultural regeneration, the low economic value of MSME products, and limited promotion. Their proposed solutions include: 1. The Youth Cultural Initiative, establishing a community for the younger generation to preserve local culture; and 2. The Matuari Joint Cluster, which focuses on the formation and mentoring of MSME clusters.