Two Indonesian destinations have been officially named in the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) 2024 ‘Best Tourism Villages’ awards. On 15 November, UNWTO officially honoured Jatiluwih and Wukirsari in Bali and Yogyakarta, respectively. These two Indonesian villages were also joined on the latest list by Bo Suak in Thailand and Tra Que in Vietnam.
Jatiluwih is a famous rural destination in Bali, located 700 metres above sea level in the highlands near Mount Batukaru, which is Bali’s second-highest volcano. This picturesque village spans 53,000 hectares of lush agricultural land, renowned for its stunning rice terraces and traditional farming practices (subak). With its picturesque landscapes and fresh air, Jatiluwih is a favourite location for walking, camping and cycling excursions. Visitors can also try a range of local dishes prepared with fresh, homegrown ingredients.
Wukirsari can be found in the Bantul area of Yogyakarta City, known as cultural hub for Indonesian arts. Here, travellers can explore traditions such as batik, leather shadow puppetry (wayang), and wood carving. By joining the Wayang Wukirsari Program, visitors can learn a mix of traditional dance, theatre and gamelan music, while also delving into the mysteries of wayang shadow play and the Ramayana epic.
While these two locations gain recognition on the international stage, Indonesia is also busy developing new destinations that can be potential stars of the future. The Indonesia Tourism Village Awards (ADWI) recently named the remote Balinese village of Les, in the North Bali Regency of Buleleng, as the “best tourism village” of 2024.
Speaking at the award ceremony in Jakarta on17 November, Indonesia’s new Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, explained that the Indonesia Tourism Village Awards were themed “Divine Tourism Towards Classy World Green Tourism,” before adding that this event is “part of our grand vision for tourism villages to grow into self-sustaining tourism villages and be able to compete globally.”
Located in the Tejakula District of Buleleng Regency, on Bali’s north shore, Les is home to a population of around 8,000 people. Off the familiar beaten track for tourism, the idyllic village is a three-hour drive from the busy tourism centres in south Bali.
The only Bali destination to be included in the “top 50” villages list in the 2024 Indonesia Tourism Village Awards, Les is located near two waterfalls – Yeh Mampeh Waterfall and Yeh Anakan Waterfall, situated in Selonding Hamle Les is in the Tejakula District, Buleleng Regency – a coastal town between the sea and a volcanic mountain.
The ADWI 2024 awards program began with 6,016 villages nominated initially and reviewed by a jury of 13 experts. Over time, the number of villages under consideration was narrowed down to the final “50 Best Tourism Villages 2024.”
