No fewer than five Indonesian tourist villages have been recognised at the prestigious 2025 ASEAN Tourism Awards, demonstrating the diversity of tourism offerings available to travellers in the archipelago. Each of the villages was selected for its natural beauty, cultural heritage and commitment to the sustainable, responsible interactions that are a key feature of ecotourism.
The ASEAN Tourism Awards acknowledge excellence and reward progress in tourist destinations throughout Southeast Asia, with a wide range of titles bestowed on winners in each category. This includes everything from the ASEAN Homestay Award and the ASEAN Community-Based Tourism Award, to the ASEAN Public Toilet Award, all of which were attributed to tourism villages in Indonesia this January.
The prestigious ASEAN Homestay Award was won by Sijunjung Traditional Village in West Sumatra. The village is home to 76 traditional houses that embody various elements of traditional Minangkabau culture, while tour packages to this location provide travellers with cooking classes that showcase authentic West Sumatran cuisine, including iconic dishes such as rendang and kalamai (dodol).
In East Java, Osing Kemiren Traditional Tourism Village, Banyuwangi, was the recipient of the coveted ASEAN Homestay Award. Those who explore here can delve into the culture and traditions of the Osing Tribe, by cooking in a traditional kitchen, learning to make distinctive local coffee and also feasting their eyes on performances of the traditional Barong Osing dance, reminiscent of Balinese ceremonial traditions.
Also in East Java, the ASEAN Community-Based Tourism Award was given to the Tiga Warna (Three Colours) CMC Destination in Malang Regency, in recognition of its recent success in maintaining mangrove and coral reef conservation areas. Here, visitors are encouraged to support environmental health by reducing waste and contributing to conservation along the nearby coastline, which is home to some spectacular beaches.
In North Sulawesi, Lihaga Beach Club was also credited by the awards. Located in North Minahasa Regency, the club is famed for its beautiful ocean vistas, white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. Supported by a range of clean and convenient new facilities and infrastructure, Lihaga was a favourite pick among the ASEAN judges.
Last but not least, Bilebante Tourism Village in West Nusa Tenggara won the ASEAN Public Toilet Award for its environmentally friendly facilities. In addition to hygiene and comfort during restroom stops, visitors to this location can enjoy a wide range of adventure and wellness activities, such as fishing at the Fishing Market, cycling through the village, or herbal spa treatments.
The latest round of accolades from the ASEAN Tourism Awards celebrate the emergence of new destinations throughout the Indonesian archipelago. From Sumatra to Java and Sulawesi, each village offers its own unique appeal; and all share a commitment to sustainable, ethical tourism interactions.
With continued government investment in infrastructure, we can expect to see many more new locations appearing on the map in the years to come. For travellers to Indonesia, the choice and quality of destinations available to explore is as broad and beautiful as the archipelago itself.
