Starfruit, (malangkota.go.id) – To foster pride by providing a choice of tourist destinations to visit and to improve tourism programs in Malang City, the Youth, Sports and Tourism Service (Disporapar) of Malang City held the Inauguration of the Tourism Awareness Communication Forum (Forkomdarwis) and the Awarding of the Malang City Pokdarwis Thematic Village Tourism Competition at Taman Indie Araya, Monday (29/11/2021).
Malang Mayor Drs. H. Sutiaji revealed that through the community, his party wants to further mobilize and activate the tourism sector. "Because our development system is not top-down. What is more valuable is how to empower the community including this Thematic Tourism Village," explained the Mayor of Malang.
According to him, the sustainability of an area can last long or not depends on its people. Because, the community will maintain it when they can assess the benefits of the existence of the tourism.
"To meet the criteria to become a tourist area, there are several provisions that are competed. Earlier there were up to six thematic villages that have indeed met the criteria to become one of the tourist areas. Alhamdulillah, earlier there was also the inauguration of the Malang City Forkomdarwis," he added.
In the future, he said, there must be improvements, both in terms of infrastructure and other facilities and infrastructure (sarpras) because tourists who come will definitely demand innovation in the Thematic Tourism Village.
"Second, we will continue to provide assistance. Then third, what is emphasized is the need for innovation from Forkomdarwis, the community, and related regional apparatuses," continued Sutiaji.
Furthermore, the man who likes badminton sports revealed that Malang City excels in cultural tourism. "Thematic villages are included in cultural tourism, which needs to be continuously developed through the talents of its people. I think in the future there will be many enthusiasts who come compared to artificial tourism. Because artificial tourism is expensive," he explained further.
Meanwhile, Head of Disporapar Malang City Dr. Ida Ayu Made Wahyuni, SH., M.Si explained that the newly inaugurated Forkomdarwis consists of all representatives of Thematic Tourism Villages. "So from the 22 villages there are representatives in one association called Forkomdarwis," she added.
Then, throughout the pandemic, his party also assessed the existence and activity of all Thematic Tourism Villages. "There are awards that we give to six villages. The judges are from Pokdarwis Jatim and Disporapar. So assessing how the development is in terms of institutions, cleanliness, and so on from each village, so that six winners came out of 22 thematic villages," explained Ida.
The winners of the 2021 Pokdarwis Thematic Village Competition are: Best I was won by Colorful Village, Best II was Tempe Sanan Tourism Village, Best III was Kajoetangan Heritage Village, Best IV was Dinoyo Ceramic Tourism Village, Best V was Gribig Religi Village, Best VI was Koeboeran Londo Village, Best Event was won by Polowijen Cultural Village, and Favorite Event was won by Tempe Sanan Tourism Village.
Also present were the Chairperson of the Malang City PKK TP Widayati Sutiaji, S.Sos., MM and Deputy Chairperson II of the Malang City PKK TP presenting the award for the Malang City Pokdarwis Thematic Village Tourism Competition. (yon/ram)
