In the hills of central Java, picturesque Nglanggeran has emerged as a showcase for community-based rural tourism.

Taking in the views from midway up the trail to the top of Gunung Api Purba; the flanks of Gunung Api Purba rise above Nglanggeran. — *Left to right:* Taking in the views from midway up the trail to the top of Gunung Api Purba; the flanks of the hills rise above Nglanggeran. (Photos: Bonnie Culbertson)

Stepping outside my homestay into the soft morning light, I was greeted by an impressive sight: the dramatic outcrops of Gunung Api Purba, a jungle-shrouded volcanic summit that rises from the fertile plains east of the city of Yogyakarta. I’d arrived here under cover of darkness the previous evening, making this grand reveal all the more spectacular. But what I didn’t appreciate, at least not yet, was that it is the people of Nglanggeran, not its rock formations, that make this serene Javanese village such a special place.

Centrally located on the Indonesian island of Java, Nglanggeran was among the first communities selected by the United Nations World Tourism Organization to join its newly conceived Best Tourism Villages network in 2021. Today, it is one of only 190 such villages worldwide recognized by the UNWTO as outstanding rural tourism destinations, a lineup that ranges from the medieval town of Oñati in Spain’s Basque Country to Pyeongsa-ri in South Korea, Higueras in Mexico, and the Balinese hamlet of Penglipuran, which became Indonesia’s second entry in the network last year. Nglanggeran secured its place on the list due in large part to the efforts of a determined youth delegation bent on broadening the appeal of their village. Their goal was to encourage those visitors who come to climb Api Purba to stay a bit longer for an immersion into Javanese village life. This might include interactions such as learning to weave janur (young coconut leaf) decorations or playing in a karawitan band with village musicians.

To create these experiences, local leaders organized a series of committees assigned to optimize specific services and attractions. For instance, the transport committee works together to organize and refine the local shuttle service, while the spa committee develops new treatments using cacao and other locally grown botanicals. Since earning its Best Tourism Village title, Nglanggeran has benefited from additional resources—both from the UNWTO and Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy—to further develop homestays, eateries, and other facilities.

“We want to remain as an individual village run by native villagers, so our whole community wins,” Mursidi, the local tourism manager, said when asked about the importance of community-based tourism. As such, they have no plans to let outside developers build hotels in the area, preferring instead for visitors to stay in one of their 80 homestays so residents can benefit from the cultural exchange too.

Sampling the local cacao at the Griya Cokelat factory. (Photo courtesy of UNWTO)

Through education and collaboration, the people of Nglanggeran have transformed aspects of ordinary rural life into memorable visitor experiences. A good example of this is how they’ve evolved local cacao production into a thriving agritourism model. During my visit, our group had the opportunity to learn from a farmer about cacao cultivation, including how to plant and nurture the trees, when to harvest the pods, and the final fermentation process that prepares the beans for roasting. At the end, we enjoyed tasting sessions at the village chocolate factory, Griya Cokelat, where each bite imparted a deeper appreciation for the delicate nuances of flavor derived from each stage of cultivation. I left with a stockpile of sweet local products from the factory gift shop: packets of chocolate drinking powder, bags of chocolate cookies, and rich dark chocolate bars flavored with local ginger, coconut, or durian.

By empowering communities to shape their own tourism experiences, the UNWTO’s Best Tourism Village initiative plays a pivotal role in fostering sustainable tourism. The global recognition rewards villagers for their dedication to community welfare and responsible tourism practices, acknowledging their efforts to preserve cultural heritage, promote environmental stewardship, and create authentic experiences for travelers. And as neighboring villages witness the economic advantages of these practices, they too become motivated to follow suit. In a country with a considerable rural population like Indonesia, the opportunity for tourists to enjoy a more genuine taste of village life is great, as is the potential impact.

Still, the highlight of the trip for me was our trek up Gunung Api Purba. After fueling up at my homestay with a home-cooked breakfast of nasi goreng and strong Javanese coffee, we met our guide at the base of the trail. He politely reminded us not to leave behind any waste—better still if we stopped to pick up any litter we did see, in order to leave the environment even more pristine than we found it. The trail itself is very accessible, taking about one hour to reach the summit. Along the way, hikers pass over, under, and through the giant boulders for which Api Purba is famous. Once at the top, some 700 meters above sea level, we were rewarded with 360-degree views overlooking the entire village, its surrounding hills, and far beyond to the densely clustered rooftops of Yogyakarta city.

A lesson in making decorations from young coconut leaves. (Photo: Bonnie Culbertson)

Taking in the panorama, one fellow hiker from Japan mentioned how she couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen so much green space still unbroken by urban sprawl. Certainly, it feels unexpected on an island that is home to 145 million people—or about 20 million more than the entire population of Japan.

Despite being made offhandedly, the comment perfectly encapsulated why programs such as the UNWTO’s Best Tourism Village network are so important. By empowering villagers with economic resources and education, the initiative safeguards the invaluable, often ancient heritage of village life while simultaneously acting as a bulwark against the encroachment of urbanization on precious natural ecosystems. For travelers, such honest encounters transcend mere sightseeing. They foster a richer, more interconnected world where bonds between people are forged through shared meals, laughter, and the universal language of hospitality.

While a Nglanggeran tourism website is still in the works, information about homestays and tour packages can be obtained by email at gunungapipurba@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared in the March/May 2024 print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“It Takes A Village”).

Responsible Tourism is Empowering This Indonesian Village

Stay inspired with our DestinAsian newsletters