JAKARTA – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, has encouraged regional heads to identify the potential of their areas, specifically for transformation into tourism village destinations.

According to the Minister, tourism villages represent one of the most unique and effective approaches to improving community welfare, as they transform local natural potential and traditions into primary economic drivers.

"The Regent likely has the data on which villages are thematic, tourism-based, or focused on horticulture. We also have the BUM Desa Export Village program. Based on that data, we can determine which villages to prioritize for assistance," Minister Yandri explained during an audience with the Regent of Gowa, Sitti Husniah Talenrang, at the Ministry's office in Jakarta, Wednesday (April 15, 2026).

Furthermore, Minister Yandri emphasized that tourism villages are established solely to empower local communities, allowing them to act as direct participants in enhancing readiness to manage tourism potential or attractions within their respective village areas.

Additionally, the tourism village program is believed to shift the village's bargaining position from being a mere provider of raw materials to becoming producers capable of penetrating global markets, while simultaneously improving the quality of village human resources.

"Our system will be proposal-based, so we will evaluate the submissions. I suggest the Regent identifies which districts have export potential and develop tourism villages there—for example, by adding facilities like swimming pools or flying foxes," he concluded.

Foto: Angga/Kemendes PDT 
Teks: Dayat/Kemendes PDT