December 6, 2025 | 01:46 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Green Tourism Village Bilebante in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has been named Indonesia’s Best National Tourism Village at the 2025 Wonderful Indonesia Awards (WIA).
The announcement was made by Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana in Jakarta on Friday, December 5, 2025.
“The Best National Tourism Village award is presented to a destination that delivers authentic community-based experiences and promotes equitable local economic growth,” Widiyanti said, as quoted by Antara.
The assessment covers several criteria, including governance and recognition at the village level, visitor management, tourism product development, supporting facilities such as accommodation and accessibility, public facilities, and sustainable environmental management.
A Former Sand-Mining Zone Reborn
Once known as a sand mining area, Bilebante has undergone major ecological restoration driven by local residents.
Asrok, head of Bilebante Green Tourism Village, said the previous village leadership mobilized the community to halt mining activities and rehabilitate the land.
“The villagers restored the land back to agriculture and tourism. Now we have rice fields and other crops thriving again,” Asrok explained.
Today, Bilebante offers a range of tourism activities connected to local nature and culture. Visitors can cycle or ride ATVs through rice fields and forests, taste traditional Lombok childhood snacks, learn archery, or enjoy reflexology and spa treatments in the middle of the paddy fields.
The village is also known for its peaceful rural scenery, including sunset views from the edge of the rice paddies.
Growing Global Recognition
Bilebante has increasingly gained international attention. According to Asrok, tourists from Spain, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Kingdom have already visited the village.
To expand its reach, the community actively promotes Bilebante at global tourism events and trade fairs. Village representative Pahrul Azim said recent promotional efforts included market introductions in Berlin, Germany, as well as outreach in Malaysia and Vietnam. The village also regularly joins the Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF).
“Recently, I visited Malaysia, Thailand, and even had the chance to speak on television in Berlin. The exposure has had a tremendous impact,” Pahrul said.
The Wonderful Indonesia Awards highlight villages across the archipelago that successfully advance sustainable tourism and elevate community livelihoods, positioning them as emerging destinations for both domestic and international travelers.
Read: 7 Critical Passport Checks Before Your International Trip
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Minister Reveals Past Corruption Cases Involving Indonesian Village Heads
10 hari lalu
The Attorney General's Office noted an increase in corruption cases involving village heads.
The Stalled Launch of Red-and-White Cooperatives
31 hari lalu
Tens of thousands of red-and-white village cooperatives remain inactive. The government is providing a complete facility package, including capital.
Get to Know Kemiren Village, Indonesia's UN-Awarded Tourism Village
43 hari lalu
Kemiren Village in Banyuwangi, East Java, received the Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme 2025 award from the UN Tourism.
Indonesia's Kemiren Village Named Among the World's Best Tourism Villages
47 hari lalu
Osing Kemiren Traditional Tourism Village in Banyuwangi, East Java, has been recognized as one of the best tourism villages in the world.
Villages to See 20% of Red and White Cooperatives Revenues, Says Minister
49 hari lalu
Minister Yandri Susanto said 20 percent of Red and White Village Cooperatives' revenues will be channelled into the Villages Budget (APBDes).
Aceh Police Establish 94 Drug-Free Villages
51 hari lalu
Indonesia's Aceh Regional Police has established 94 drug-free villages (KBDN) across all regencies and cities.
5 Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Mandalika During MotoGP 2025
1 Oktober 2025
As MotoGP Mandalika 2025 approaches, Lombok not only offers world-class racing action but also a range of captivating tourist destinations worthy of exploration.
Indonesian Small-Scale Fishers to Get Insurance Through Village Program
16 September 2025
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries ensures that fishers will receive insurance protection through the village program.
Two Years of Rempang Eco City: The Spark of Resistance Is Alive and Well
9 September 2025
It has been exactly two years on September 7 since the clash between thousands of authorities and Rempang residents rejecting the development.
Sudan Landslide Kills over 1,000 People, Says Rebel Group
2 September 2025
A "devastating" landslide has wiped out an entire village in the Marra Mountains in Sudan's west, according to the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army.
