As reported by Tempo.Co, the remote Balinese village of Les in the North Bali Regency of Buleleng, has been named the “best tourism village” at the Indonesia Tourism Village Award (ADWI) 2024, in an award ceremony held in Jakarta on Sunday, 17 November 2024.
At the award ceremony, Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, explained that the Indonesia Tourism Village Awards were themed “Divine Tourism Towards Classy World Green Tourism.” Adding: “This is part of our grand vision for tourism villages to grow into self-sustaining tourism villages and be able to compete globally.”
The Tourism Minister envisions the tourism village award programs as having the ability to increase annual visitor numbers by up to 30%, helping to accelerate national economic growth.
Les Tourism Village – North Bali
Located in the Tejakula District of Buleleng Regency, North Bali, Les is located on the Island’s north shore and has 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 centers 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 nestled between the sea and a volcanic mountain.
Les is also well situated for visitors wishing to explore its coral reefs and rich underwater life.
In presenting the award to the Village of Les, the ADWI 2024 Jury Chairman Ari Suhani praised the area’s tourism potential, noting its community-based programs that foster development through collaboration with local and international universities.
“They take coral reef monitoring seriously, then collaborate with an institution for restoration,” said Ari. He also praised the local sea salt production industry. “Palungan salt” is produced in drying fields where salt water evaporates in coconut tree trunks. The resulting salt product is sold to visitors and exported to Japan.
A popular attraction at Tejakula is an ancient public bath 200 meters from the main coastal highway. Known in ‘olden’ days as “The Horse Bath,” this unique public bath is still used today and utilizes waters originating from Lake Batur in Kintamani. The baths, situated at the base of a small hill, are subdivided into three separate adjacent sections. One section is for the exclusive use of males, the middle section is reserved for bathing horses, and the last section is exclusively for bathing women.
Intangible, unique art forms that can also be found in Tejakula is Wayang Wong Dance Theatre performed during the Dewa Yadnya Ceremony held to mark key occasions in the ritual life of the Community,
Many local buildings are distinguished through “sand carvings” to beautify and accessorize structures in a way unique to the area.
Tejakula Village is also home to a monkey forest surrounding the hilltop picturesque Ratu Ayu Mas Bintang Temple.
The Amisewaka Desa Les Community Center
An outstanding organization based in Les that reflects residents’ commitment to advancing their community is The Amisewaka Desa Les Community Center, which delivers vocational and life skills training to the area’s youth. In the past, the young people of Les have faced limited employment opportunities. Job and skill training provided at the modern facility has proven effective in helping local youth secure gainful employment in leading hotels and restaurants in Indonesia and abroad.
The Selection of Tourism Village Winners
ADWI 2024 also recognized dozens of tourism villages across several categories. The 2024 awards program began with 6,016 villages nominated initially and reviewed by 13 juries working independently. Over time, the number of villages under consideration was willowed down to the final “50 Best Tourism Villages 2024.”
The ADWI 2024 Winners List
Tourism Village Attractions
1. Batu Lintang Tourism Village, Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan
2. Cemaga Tengah Tourism Village, Natuna, Riau Islands
3. Tiworiwu Tourism Village (Megalithic Village of Bena), Ngada, East Nusa Tenggara
Village Amenities
1. Wanurejo Tourism Village, Magelang, Central Java
2. Aik Berik Tourism Village, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara
3. Landorundun Tourism Village, North Toraja, South Sulawesi
Digital Villages
1. Gunungsari Tourism Village, Madiun, East Java
2. Danau Diateh – Alahan Panjang Tourism Village, Solok, West Sumatra
3. Derawan Island Tourism Village, Berau, East Kalimantan
Resilient Villages
1. Gunung Prau Charm Tourism Village, Wonosobo, Central Java
2. Pramuka Island Tourism Village, Thousand Islands, DKI Jakarta
3. Amping Parak Tourism Village, South Coastal, West Sumatra
Villages Excellining in Institutions and Human Resources
1. Krebet Tourism Village, Bantul, Yogyakarta
2. Osing Kemiren Customary Tourism Village, Banyuwangi, East Java
3. Sibandang Island Tourism Village, North Tapanuli, North Sumatra
Village-based Initiatives
1. Masaligi Tourism Village, Sorong, West Papua
2. Bangowan Tourism Village, Blora, Central Java
3. Education Cisaat Tourism Village, Subang, West Java
Developing Villages
1. Labengki Tourism Village, North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi
2. Namatota Tourism Village, Kaimana, West Papua
3. Laha Tourism Village, Ambon, Maluku
Progressive Villages
1. Jatimulyo Tourism Village, Kulonprogo, DI Yogyakarta
2. Dewi Anom Tourism Village, Malang, East Java
3. Keciput Tourism Village, Belitung, Bangka Belitung
Favorite Village
Jagoi Babang Tourism Village, Bengkayang, West Kalimantan
Related Links
Amisewaka Desa Community Center
Desa Les Website (Indonesian language)
Visit North Bali – Official Website
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