Building a Sustainable Future through Sungai Space Tourism in Yamansari Village, Tegal

Abstrak

This community service program developed sustainable tourism at Sungai Space in Yamansari Village, Tegal Regency. Tourism development was constrained by inadequate infrastructure, limited knowledge of tourism management, low English proficiency, restricted use of digital technology, and weak local business capacity. The program combined infrastructure planning, English training, digital technology, and creative economy development through participatory action research (PAR). Conducted from June to September 2023, it involved 25 village officials, prospective guides, business owners, youth organization members, and other residents. Participants received training in English for tourism, digital marketing, business management, and website development. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation, questionnaires, and documentation. The assessment showed that the proportion of participants demonstrating basic English conversation skills increased from 5% to 72%, digital competence from 20% to 78%, and understanding of sustainable tourism management from 25% to 80%. Participants also developed a website prototype, promotional social media accounts, an online booking system, and a participatory road-maintenance mechanism. PAR supported context-specific solutions by strengthening community ownership and collective responsibility. Key constraints were unstable internet connectivity (average speed: 5 Mbps), 20% absenteeism during the harvest season, initial resistance to digital booking among 4 of 25 participants, and insufficient time to develop comprehensive English proficiency. The program established a foundation for a professionally managed, competitive, and environmentally responsible community-based tourism destination. Continued training, follow-up mentoring, and strategic partnerships are recommended to support funding, technology transfer, and market expansion. The program contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 8, 11, 12, and 17.