Ah, welcome, welcome! Today we are diving into the delightful world of the Indonesian Tourism Village Awards. Yes, it’s that time of year when the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economies gets to flex its muscles and say, “Look at us! We’ve got scenic villages to spare!” And you thought your local county fair had competition!
Now, let’s start off with the crème de la crème in Bali—Penglipuran Village. This charming little gem has been stealing hearts and ranking high on most “cleanest village” lists. I mean, how clean is it? You could eat your dinner off the streets—though I wouldn’t recommend that; the rats are on a strict Michelin diet. But portrayed as a pedestrian paradise, how delightful is that? No cars, just the joyful sounds of… well, probably tourists thrashing about trying to take the perfect Instagram shot.
And speaking of Instagram, they must just love it! They’ve got bamboo forests surrounding them, which sounds beautiful, but let’s be honest; it sounds a tad tropical horror film-ish too, doesn’t it? Imagine walking in there, and all of a sudden – BAM! – a ghost pops out saying, “Surprise! You should’ve stayed on that pedestrian path!”
Now, onto some exciting news from Les Village, which has finally made it to the top fifty best tourism villages! After applying three times, it’s like they finally got that golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory! The head of the village, Adi Wistara, must’ve been practicing that acceptance speech in the mirror every morning. “This is a blessing for us!” he says. Well, mate, I’d take it too; it’s like winning the lottery but with fewer ATM fees and more waterfalls.
And those waterfalls! Let’s chat about the Yeh Mampeh Waterfall—sounds exotic, right? This secluded beauty plunges over 40 meters into a pool where you could theoretically swim, provided you’re not squished by tourists throwing themselves in hoping to snag that perfect selfie. Nothing says “I love nature!” quite like a hundred people doing belly flops into a pristine pool.
But let’s not skim over the environmental concerns—oh no! While leaders are famously running around with shovels looking to dig up some serious sustainable tourism issues flowing in like an unfiltered river, there’s a theme to this year’s awards: “Tourism Villages Towards World Class Green Tourism.” Basically, they’re telling those pesky resort developers to back off and stop turning paradise into a bargain basement. It’s nice to know they have that common sense, isn’t it? Because we all know what happens when development runs amok—overcrowded beaches and the legendary “chicken rice Incident” at every roadside stand.
And, of course, Les Village is all about preserving their cultural gems and natural beauty. They’re going full-on Avengers mode, protecting their little slice of paradise. Meanwhile, the rest of Bali is trying not to become just another overcrowded beach akin to ‘Pattaya on steroids.’
Lastly, let’s not forget Bembeng Beach! A hidden gem just waiting for you, assuming you can handle some pebbles underfoot. If you’re packing light, just bring your yoga mat! Because nothing says relaxation quite like performing bizarre poses while trying not to slip on pebbles—watch out for that downward dog!
So, if you’re looking to skip standard tourist traps and dive into something genuine, these villages are your best bet. The Indonesian Tourism Village Awards truly highlight the best of the best, proving that sometimes, the road less traveled is indeed more than a scenic route—it may just be the scenic retreat of your dreams! So polish those sandals, take that camera, and enjoy your journey into the wonderful world of tourism villages in Bali! And hey, remember to keep it clean—both the villages and your Instagram feed!
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As anticipation builds, the Indonesian Tourism Village Awards, hosted annually by the Indonesian Ministry for Tourism and Creative Economies, are once again arriving at a peak.
The competition kicked off this March and has recently unveiled its list of finalists, with villages from Bali dominating the rankings once more.
For the past several years, Penglipuran Village in Bangli Regency has consistently held its title as the leading tourist village in Bali. Known for its pristine beauty, it ranks among the world’s cleanest villages.
Penglipuran Village is uniquely pedestrianized and set against the backdrop of ancient bamboo forests. Visitors are encouraged to wander freely, exploring everything from the main thoroughfare to the communal homes, as well as the sacred village temples.
Exciting updates emerged from the Village Tourism Awards organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economies, revealing that Les Village has been recognized among the top fifty tourism destinations in Indonesia for 2024.
Head of the Buleleng Regency Tourism Service, Gede Dody Sukma Oktiva Askara, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “this achievement is extraordinary, because a total of 6,016 tourist villages throughout Indonesia were able to qualify.”
The forthcoming visit of Minister Sandiaga Uno to Les Village is set for June or July, with detailed information regarding his schedule anticipated soon. Adi Wistara, the head of the village, shared his excitement about being listed among the top fifty after three years of applications.
Previously, Les Village secured a place in the top 1,000 and then in the top 500 tourism villages of Indonesia in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Wistara remarked, “this is a blessing for us.”
This year’s Village Tourism Awards theme, “Tourism Villages Towards World Class Green Tourism,” beautifully aligns with Les Village’s vision that focuses solely on enhancing its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
Wistara asserted, “The village and traditional governments will fortify our village so that it is not touched by development that destroys nature.”
This is especially relevant as many leaders in Bali are voicing serious concerns that unchecked tourism growth may jeopardize the island’s invaluable natural heritage, cultural values, and environmental safety.
There is a growing call from leaders to conduct a spatial planning investigation to update and enforce regulations regarding development and conservation, ensuring Bali’s preservation for future generations.
Les Village is situated along Bali’s northeastern coast, conveniently located an hour’s drive north from Amed, a popular diving resort, and a little over an hour from Lovina, famed for its coastline.
The area is also home to the breathtaking Yeh Mampeh Waterfall, a key nature attraction of Les Village. This stunning, remote waterfall tumbles over 40 meters into a naturally formed pool that invites swimming.
Accessing the waterfall requires a hike along a lush jungle trail, leading visitors to an unspoiled part of Bali, far from extensive tourism and burgeoning infrastructure.
Although Bembeng Beach is primarily a pebble beach, it is a hidden gem worth visiting. With palm trees framing the shore, extraordinary sunsets and virtually no crowds, visitors can enjoy a day of tranquility. Just remember to bring a yoga mat for added comfort on the pebbles!
One of the most highly-rated hotel resorts near Les Village is Alam Anda Ocean Front Resort and Spa, a hidden 4-star treasure on Bali’s east coast with oceanfront villas available for under $50 a night.
This is especially relevant as many leaders in Bali are voicing serious concerns that unchecked tourism growth may jeopardize the island’s invaluable natural heritage, cultural values, and environmental safety.
There is a growing call from leaders to conduct a spatial planning investigation to update and enforce regulations regarding development and conservation, ensuring Bali’s preservation for future generations.
Les Village is situated along Bali’s northeastern coast, conveniently located an hour’s drive north from Amed, a popular diving resort, and a little over an hour from Lovina, famed for its coastline.
The area is also home to the breathtaking Yeh Mampeh Waterfall, a key nature attraction of Les Village. This stunning, remote waterfall tumbles over 40 meters into a naturally formed pool that invites swimming.
Accessing the waterfall requires a hike along a lush jungle trail, leading visitors to an unspoiled part of Bali, far from extensive tourism and burgeoning infrastructure.
Although Bembeng Beach is primarily a pebble beach, it is a hidden gem worth visiting. With palm trees framing the shore, extraordinary sunsets, and virtually no crowds, visitors can enjoy a day of tranquility. Just remember to bring a yoga mat for added comfort on the pebbles!