Tucked away in the southeast corner of the Yogyakarta Special Region in Central Java, Nglanggeran Village is a location that’s off the beaten track. And yet, this hidden gem in the heartland of Java has outshone countless other, more famous locations around the world, by being named Best Tourism Village 2021 by the World Tourism Organization under the United Nations (UNWTO).
According to the UN, the Best Tourism Village award aims to “to advance the role of tourism in safeguarding rural villages, along with their landscapes, natural and cultural diversity, and their local values and activities, including local gastronomy.”
To win this prestigious award, villages are assessed based on nine assessment criteria, including environmental sustainability, natural and cultural resources, infrastructure and connectivity. Another key element of the decision relates to villages’ commitment to sustainable tourism development, in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Following official announcement of the list, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili made a statement on Thursday, 2 December, in which he noted that “tourism can be a driver of social cohesion and inclusion by promoting more equitable distribution of benefits [and] the empowerment of local communities. This initiative recognises villages’ commitment to making tourism a strong driver for their development and well-being,” he said.
A total of 44 villages from 32 countries spanning five global regions achieved UNWTO recognition in 2021. Among these winners, two other Indonesian villages made the grade and were officially honoured by UNWTO: Tetebatu Tourism Village in East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara; and Wae Rebo Village in Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara.
‘Nglanggeran’ comes from the word ‘Plaksanaan’, which means ‘every evil deed has its punishment’. It is also derived from the word ‘Langgeng’, which means peace and serenity. Located approximately 20km from Wonosari and 25km from Yogyakarta, the village sits in the shadow of 60-million-year-old Mt. Api Purba volcano in a landscape that’s steeped in history and famed for its natural beauty. The Indonesian government has also bestowed a number of awards on the village, including ASEAN’s Community-Based Tourism Award in 2017, in recognition of unique local wisdom, agricultural activities and cultural traditions.
