Tourism Minister Visits Desa Sejahtera Astra Kemiren, Reinforcing Culture-Based Tourism Village Development

BANYUWANGI, EAST JAVA: PT Astra International Tbk ("Astra") welcomed Indonesia's Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana to Desa Sejahtera Astra Kemiren in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, on Saturday (25/7). The visit focused on reviewing the village's culture-based development, which preserves the customs, traditions, arts, and local wisdom of the Osing community. The Minister was accompanied by Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani Azwar Anas, Acting Deputy for Destination and Infrastructure Development Reza Pahlevi, Astra's Head of Environment & Social Responsibility Diah Suran Febrianti, and Desa Sejahtera Astra Kemiren community leader Mohammad Edy Saputro. The delegation observed Osing cultural and creative economy activities, including Gejog Lesung music, Kopi Osing coffee roasting, traditional kucur cake making, woven coconut-leaf bags, and local MSME products. Astra also symbolically provided 20 composting units, 50 homestay equipment packages, and an amphitheater to support the development of a quality, sustainable, culture-based tourism village.

"Thank you to Astra for supporting and mentoring Desa Sejahtera Astra Kemiren. This support is part of a broader effort to strengthen the development of quality, sustainable, culture-based tourism destinations," said Indonesia's Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana.

"It's an honor for Astra to welcome the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia to Desa Sejahtera Astra Kemiren. This visit recognizes the community's dedication to preserving Osing culture and demonstrates that cultural preservation can support tourism village development and community welfare. Astra hopes this spirit continues, ensuring Osing culture remains vibrant and benefits the community for years to come," said Astra Chief of Corporate Affairs Boy Kelana Soebroto.

Residents of Desa Sejahtera Astra Kemiren actively preserve Osing culture through traditions such as the Barong Ider Bumi ceremony, Tumpeng Sewu, the traditional Gandrung dance, local cuisine, traditional music, and distinctive architecture. Since 2024, Astra has supported this potential through the Desa Sejahtera Astra program, working with residents and local leaders to advance health, education, environment, and entrepreneurship. Initiatives include strengthening Posyandu health posts and early childhood education, improving waste management and biogas development, empowering local MSMEs, building the capacity of the Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis), and developing homestays and tourism facilities to ensure cultural preservation aligns with improved quality of life.

These initiatives have benefited approximately 300 residents, strengthening their role in the village's tourism sector. The village now offers 50 homestays with a total of 92 rooms, 40 local businesses in culinary, crafts, and coffee, and 40 Pokdarwis members managing tourism and cultural preservation. Average income among Pokdarwis members has increased by 33%, demonstrating that cultural preservation can drive both livelihoods and new economic opportunities at the village level.

The community's ongoing commitment to cultural preservation and local development has earned national and international recognition. Since 2019, the village has received awards such as Wonderful Indonesia Impact, Anugerah Desa Wisata Indonesia (ADWI), and the ASEAN Tourism Award 2025. Internationally, Desa Sejahtera Astra Kemiren was selected for the Best Tourism Village Upgrade Program 2025, reinforcing its status as a sustainable, community-based cultural tourism destination.

Astra's collaborative approach to village development, as demonstrated in Desa Sejahtera Astra Kemiren, reflects its vision of Prosper with the Nation and supports Indonesia's progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

ALSO READ: PT Astra International Tbk: Strengthening Desa Sejahtera Astra Sumba Timur Through the Preservation of Tenun Ikat and the Empowerment of Women

 

For further information, please contact:
Windy Riswantyo
Head of Corporate Communications
PT Astra International Tbk
Phone. 021-508-43-888

 

About Astra:
Astra is one of Indonesia's largest public companies, comprising 324 subsidiaries, joint ventures, and associated entities, supported by more than 190,000 employees. The company's diversified business model creates synergies and opportunities across multiple industries, including Automotive, Financial Services, Heavy Equipment and Mining Solutions, and other sectors.
Astra has a sustainability framework that includes the Astra 2030 Sustainability Aspirations, which guide the Astra Group's transition toward becoming a more sustainable company by 2030 and beyond. Astra aspires to strengthen Indonesia's economic resilience in support of an inclusive and prosperous society.
Astra's sustainable social contributions are centered on developing and strengthening villages through the Desa Sejahtera Astra program, which has reached more than 1,500 Desa Sejahtera Astra sites across 35 provinces in Indonesia. The program covers four main areas, including health, education, environment, and entrepreneurship, supported by nine foundations that contribute to Indonesia's economic growth while advancing an inclusive and prosperous society.
In line with the Desa Sejahtera Astra program, the Semangat Astra Terpadu Untuk (SATU) Indonesia Awards was established to recognize young innovators as well as the best Desa Sejahtera Astra communities and village champions mentored by Astra. Since its launch in 2010, the SATU Indonesia Awards has honored 792 young Indonesians who actively collaborate with Desa Sejahtera Astra.
For more information, visit astra.co.id, and follow Astra's activities on Instagram @satu_indonesia, TikTok @satu_indonesia, YouTube SATU Indonesia, X (Twitter) @satu_indonesia, LinkedIn PT Astra International Tbk, and Facebook Semangat Astra Terpadu.