Transformation a Poor Village into a Prosperous Tourist Destination in Indonesia

Abstract

A new leader has inspired young people to transform an agrarian village into a popular tourist destination. The goal of this research is to explain the process of transforming an agricultural village into a tourism village, including the role of the Village Head (VH) and other actors involved. This research was conducted in Pujon Kidul (PK) village, Pujon subdistrict, Malang Regency, East Java Province, Indonesia. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with innovators, small traders, and members of society at tourist sites. Apart from conducting in-depth interviews, secondary data was also utilized to examine how the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of innovators can transform the traditional lifestyle of PK Village. This phenomenon can be explained by the Knowledge-intensive Innovative Entrepreneurship (KIE) framework, which highlights the significance of knowledge and innovation in entrepreneurial development. The study's findings enhance the KIE framework by reinforcing the significance of entrepreneurial leaders and real political support. Moreover, the government's policies that actively promote the growth of rural areas and tourism are external factors that encourage Village Heads to bring about social transformation. These policies have created an environment that nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit of all members of society. Contrary to popular belief, this article argues that village development from the grassroots level is an achievable goal.