BCA's Desa Binaan: Creative Local Tourism Promotion

Indonesia is a country with vast potential in terms of tourism, and many regions in the country are working hard to promote their unique attractions to attract more visitors. One of the innovative approaches being taken in by Desa Binaan Bakti BCA, is inviting students from Jakarta to live in and experience the daily life of the village.

In recent times, Desa Wisata Tamansari in Banyuwangi hosted 100 students and teachers from High Scope School, while almost 200 students and teachers from SMP Santa Laurensia Alam Sutera visited Desa Wisata Pentingsari in Yogyakarta. The student's participation in live-in and field trip programs at the village is expected to help them learn about the local culture, arts, and contribute to environmental conservation efforts, all while experiencing tourism firsthand.

BCA's EVP of Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility, Hera F. Haryn, stated that the presence of students and teachers in the village through the live-in and field trip programs would further hone the village's management skills, which is part of BCA's commitment to developing Desa Binaan Bakti BCA.

Meanwhile, Edwin Christian, Head of BCA KCU Banyuwangi, added that they were delighted to see Desa Wisata Tamansari chosen as the destination for the live-in and community service program of High Scope Indonesia. He believed that the students' visits would enhance the village management's capabilities in handling large numbers of tourists and providing them with a memorable experience.

Francisca Ariningrum I.W., a representative of the Head of High Scope Kelapa Gading, stated that High Scope appreciated the collaboration or opportunity given to their students to experience firsthand the life of the Tamansari village community and learn a lot about Banyuwangi's culture. She also expressed appreciation for BCA's initiative in involving and introducing Desa Binaan Bakti BCA to schools with live-in and field trip programs as this program not only benefited the community but also their students.

Such live-in and field trip programs, involving a large number of participants, offer the village tourism managers an opportunity to improve their skills in receiving a large number of guests. BCA appreciates this tourism approach that prioritizes cultural values for young people.

The educational tourism approach enables the village to not only promote the natural beauty of the area but also serves as a way to introduce cultural values to young people as an essential form of non-academic learning that helps preserve the nation's identity.

Additionally, educational tourism programs enable the village to develop its economic potential. The more skillful the village tourism managers are in utilizing their local tourism potential, the faster the economic wheel will turn in the village.

BCA believes that efforts to introduce culture as the nation's identity to young people and support UMKM in Desa Binaan can go hand in hand. "We hope that this program will make Desa Binaan Bakti BCA a village that is economically strong by utilizing its tourism potential," said Hera.

BCA has had the Desa Binaan program since 2012, and it oversees 15 Desa Binaan Bakti BCA across Indonesia. This program aims to train the village managers to preserve the village's unique cultural traditions and arts and introduce them to the public while improving the village's ability to manage its tourism potential to boost the village's economy.