Lecturers of Universitas Brawijaya (UB) chaired by Dr. Siti Asmaul Mustaniroh, S.TP., M.P (FTP) with the members, Aris Subagiyo, S.T., M.T (FT), Sisca Fajriani, S.P. , M.P. (FP), and Ika Atsari Dewi, S.TP., MP. (FTP), developed Sidomulyo Village as a flower tourism village with local wisdom, through Partners Village Development Program (PPDM) as one of the community service activities funded by DRPM DIKTI and Community Service Research Institute Universitas Brawijaya in 2020.
Sidomulyo Village, Batu was chosen because of its achievement as the winner of General Category, National Level at Festival Gapura Cinta Negeri 2019.
The strategic partners involved in this activity are tourism aware group/ Pokdarwis as a driving force for tourism services in Sidomulyo Village “Go Green Adventure”, Ornamental Plant Farmer Group, Sidomulyo Batik UKM and Sidomulyo Village Government.
The series of activities to be carried out include facilitation of technology transfer (Tourism Information Center, Tourism Village Management Information System Application and Mini Installation of Batik Waste Treatment) which will be carried out in the next 3 years (2020-2022).
In developing Sidomulyo Tourism Village, the first step taken by the team was facilitating the pokdarwis of Sidomulyo village to conduct comparative study to Breksi Cliff Tourism Village (Yogyakarta) and Wanurejo Tourism Village (Borobudur).
The comparative study was followed by the Government of Sidomulyo Village, PKK Movers, LPMD, BPD, Rest Area managers, Batik UKM, Go Green Adventure pokdarwis and Ornamental Plant Farmer Groups.
The Manager of Tebing Breksi Tourism Village, Mujimin, S. Sos, explained the importance of commitment and partnership from the Village Government and tourism activists (Pokdarwis) in advancing their tourism business, followed by product and service innovation that will be provided to the community.
Breksi cliff, which used to be a residue, have now become something “extraordinary and commercial” and can be used as a guide for advancing tourism development.
He also gave tips on the success of tourism managers, including mutual cooperation, deliberation, mutual trust and follow-ups that must be carried out regularly.
Meanwhile, the manager of Wanurejo Bendrat Tourism Village said that the tourism village is a rural area that offers an atmosphere of authentic rural life in terms of socio-economic life, culture, daily customs and unique village spatial structures, and promotes local wisdom and has the potential to be developed by the tourism component.
Some strategies that can be implemented include identifying tourism potential and attractions, facilities and infrastructure, potential tourist profiles by optimizing the human resources owned by the village.
In the comparative study activity, participants were invited to get around for an education package tour in Dewi Wanurejo by riding a VW then visit UKM Batik Lebah Madu, Luwak Coffee, Coconut Sugar, Souvenirs from Wood, Ornamental Plants and Nature Tourism in the area around Borobudur temple.
It is hoped that this comparative study will provide a lot of insight for the activists of Sidomulyo Tourism Village to be competitive as one of Batu Tourism City destinations based on local wisdom by promoting the potential of ornamental plants, cut flowers, batik and exotic nature tourism. (DSE / Humas UB/ Trans. Iir).