YOGYAKARTA ~

Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy crowned Jasri Customary Village in District of Karangasem, Bali as the best tourism village in 2013. The tourism village set aside 138 other tourism villages from 29 provinces assessed this year.

This year, Kemenparekraf assessed 139 tourism villages increased from 72 villages last year. The second best tourist village is Nglanggeran Village, Gunung kidul, Yogyakarta. While Samiran village, Selo District, Boyolali received the title of third best tourist village.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu said that the best tourism village can be used as a model for other tourism villages. The competition gives the highest score to the impact of the tourism village to the local community.

“The competition aimed to create a successful and good tourism village standard, and its impact on community is clear,” she said after handing the reward of the best tourist village in Pentingsari village, Yogyakarta, on Saturday.

The competition of tourism village this year is considered better than ever because of increased assessment component. This year, tourism villages not only judged by the administration and report of the grants spent.

“We see the use of funds for what and how effective, and its effectiveness is judged by how many jobs are created, how many businesses are created, how many visits (tourists),” Mari Elka said.

Last year, the best tourist village given to Pentingsari village in Sleman. The development of the tourist village is considered as the best because it creates many benefits for local people. Currently, there are 80 houses become home stay where 50 houses assessed as appropriate for foreign tourists.

In addition, the housing industry grew into six groups and increasing number of local guides to 40 people and a group of agricultural and cultural arts attraction as many as 30 people.