Introduction

The Government of Indonesia is promoting the utilization of regional tourism resources as part of its strategy to expand the tourism industry. Among the key initiatives is the development of “tourism villages.” These villages are operated by local residents and offer experiences such as agricultural and cultural activities to visiting tourists.

This article highlights Semarang Regency in Central Java, a leading example in tourism village development with a total of 85 such villages. We will explore the unique appeal and roles of these tourism villages.

Tourism Villages in Semarang Regency by the Numbers

What is a Tourism Village?

In Indonesia, a “tourism village” (Desa Wisata) is a community-based tourism initiative that actively involves local residents in the management and development of tourism, aiming to attract visitors to the area.

The primary objective of developing tourism villages is to support the Indonesian government’s national tourism development policy and to promote regional economic growth.

Secondary objectives include raising local awareness of environmental conservation and cultural preservation, expanding employment opportunities, improving welfare and quality of life, and curbing population outflow to urban areas.

In approving development plans for tourism villages, the government evaluates the appeal of the village’s tourism resources (natural, cultural, and other attractions), accessibility, village scale, and various infrastructure conditions.

The Indonesian government has been encouraging the development of tourism villages, with over 6,000 officially recognized as of 2024.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, tourism villages are classified into four development stages: initial, developing, advanced, and independent. Of the more than 6,000 recognized villages, only a few hundred are categorized as advanced or independent. More than half remain in the initial stage, meaning they have only just begun tourism-related activities.

References:

• Kementerian Pariwisata dan Ekonomi Kreatif, “Mengenal Klasifikasi Desa Wisata di Indonesia dalam ADWI”
• Pesona Indonesia, “Desa Wisata Rintisan”
• Kompas.com, “Desa Wisata: Pengertian, Karakteristik, Tujuan, Kriteria, dan Manfaat”

Semarang Regency with 85 Tourism Villages (Desa Wisata)

Tourism Villages in Semarang Regency

As of December 2024, Semarang Regency has the highest number of tourism villages in Central Java, totaling 85. By development stage, 42 are in the initial stage, 34 in the developing stage, and 9 in the advanced stage.

Below are some of the most well-known tourism villages in Semarang Regency.

Desa Wisata Lerep (Lerep Tourism Village)

Lerep Tourism Village, officially recognized in 2015, is the most successful tourism village in Semarang Regency and was selected among Indonesia’s Top 300 Tourism Villages in 2024. The village offers tour packages that allow visitors to experience daily life through activities such as harvesting crops with residents, participating in livestock care, and engaging in traditional crafts. Attractions also include traditional welcoming dances and homestay experiences.

Desa Wisata Kampung Susu Sumogawe (Sumogawe Milk Village)

Established in 2017, Sumogawe Milk Village was included in Indonesia’s Top 500 Tourism Villages in 2024. In addition to offering tour packages that include dairy processing, livestock care, and nature walks within the village, it is also actively involved in developing and marketing various dairy-based products such as yogurt, jelly, and candy.

Desa Wisata Bejalen (Bejalen Tourism Village)

Bejalen Tourism Village, established in 2011, is located on the shores of Lake Rawa Pening, a well-known scenic spot. The village offers popular lake and river-based activities such as river rafting, paddle boating, fishing, and dining in floating restaurants. Additional attractions include the “Rainbow Village,” where house walls and bridges are painted in vivid colors, as well as scenic views of expansive rice terraces and surrounding mountains.

The Tourism Industry and Challenges Facing Tourism Villages in Semarang Regency

The main tourism resources in Semarang Regency are its natural assets, such as forests and lakes. Alongside the development of tourism villages, local cuisine and handicrafts have also begun to attract attention. According to Semarang Regency, tourism—which previously ranked third after manufacturing and agriculture—accounted for 19% of the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) by 2023, surpassing agriculture to become the region’s second-largest industry.

Semarang Regency has already developed and designated 85 tourism villages as part of its tourism promotion initiatives. However, as mentioned earlier, nearly half of these villages remain in the initial stage of development.

For these early-stage tourism villages to achieve sustainable growth, future efforts will be crucial. As part of its support measures, Semarang Regency launched the “Creative Economy Committee” for the 2024–2029 period. It is expected that this committee will work collaboratively with tourism village operators to contribute to village development.

References:

• PPID Kabupaten Semarang, “Tingkatkan Daya Saing Wisata, Pemkab Kukuhkan Komite Ekonomi Kreatif dan Berikan Anugerah Deswita” / “Pariwisata Kabupaten Semarang Berdayakan Ekonomi Warga”
• Jatengprov.go.id, “11 Desa Wisata di Kabupaten Semarang Diresmikan”

Semarang Regency’s Tourism Villages Through Video

Excursions to Tourism Villages

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Many tourism villages offer packages not only for individual tourists but also for groups, such as school trips and corporate events.

One of the tour packages at Lerep Tourism Village is themed “Returning to Grandma’s House,” and includes a wide variety of outdoor activities: eco-printing, painting ceramics, rice planting using water buffalo, processing agricultural products and fish, preparing traditional cuisine, swimming, and more.

Local Food Market of the Tourism Village

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The local food market in Lerep Tourism Village is held on specific Sundays according to the Javanese calendar (the traditional calendar of Java Island).

At the market, local delicacies and snacks are served in traditional styles using banana leaves and bamboo containers. In addition, traditional dance performances and sales of handicrafts and souvenirs are featured.

This local food market was initiated by residents in response to the insufficient purchasing prices of agricultural products, which failed to reflect the labor invested by farmers. Thanks to these activities, gourmet tourism has become another attraction of Lerep Tourism Village.

Reference:
Pesona Indonesia, “Desa Wisata Lerep”

The Future of Tourism Villages in Semarang Regency

Tourism villages in Semarang Regency offer unique tourism experiences rooted in natural environments and traditional culture—an appeal that cannot be found in urban tourism. Although many of the 85 villages are still in the early stages of development, their future potential is drawing increasing attention.

If the operation of these tourism villages becomes well-established, it is expected to generate various benefits such as local employment creation and economic growth. However, achieving these outcomes will require close collaboration between local governments, businesses, and residents. In Semarang Regency, initiatives led by the regency government that link tourism with the creative economy are anticipated to lead to sustainable development of tourism villages.