Jatiluwih Village in Bali gained international recognition as one of the World’s Best Villages by the United Nations Tourism (UN Tourism) in 2024. This prestigious award was presented during the UN Tourism event held in Colombia on November 15, 2024. This recognition is a source of pride for Indonesia, especially for the people of Jatiluwih, for their dedication to preserving culture and the environment.

The United Nations Tourism, formerly known as the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. UN Tourism plays a significant role in global tourism development by providing technical assistance to countries and promoting tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability. This organization authorized and granted the award to Jatiluwih Village.

“Best Tourism Villages” Award by UN Tourism

This award recognizes villages that excel in preserving and promoting cultural heritage, sustainability practices, and contributing to community development. The evaluation criteria include cultural and natural aspects, economic sustainability, environmental sustainability, governance, infrastructure, health, and safety. Jatiluwih met all these criteria, making it worthy of this prestigious recognition.

The success of Jatiluwih in earning the UN Tourism award is deeply rooted in the Tri Hita Karana philosophy embraced by its community. This philosophy emphasizes harmony between humans and God, humans and nature, and humans with one another. Additionally, the Subak irrigation system, recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, and the breathtaking natural beauty of Jatiluwih’s vast green rice terraces contributed significantly to this achievement.

Visit by the Minister of Tourism

On December 9, 2024, the newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Widyanti Putri Wardhana, along with her deputy Ni Luh Puspa, visited Jatiluwih Village as part of their first official work agenda. During the visit, they inaugurated the UN Tourism Monument, located south of the UNESCO Monument in Jatiluwih. This visit demonstrated the government’s commitment to supporting sustainable tourism development in Indonesia.

As the first village visited by the new Minister of Tourism, Jatiluwih serves as an exemplary model of community-based and sustainable tourism. It is hoped that this recognition will inspire other villages in Indonesia to develop sustainable tourism while preserving their natural and cultural heritage.