EduAsiaNews, Surakarta — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, through its Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), continues to promote the potential of tourism villages through mentoring programs and the empowerment of community-based creative economies. One such initiative is being carried out at Genilangit Tourism Park in Genilangit Village, Poncol District, Magetan Regency, East Java, through the university’s Community Service Program (KKN), the development of animated content for tourism promotion, and the provision of business equipment to support park operators.
The initiative is part of UNS’s efforts to develop local potential and generate added economic value for communities. Tourism village development focuses not only on natural attractions but also on strengthening creativity, skills and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating around tourism areas.
Dr. Ir. Eny Lestari, M.Si., a representative of UNS’s Agricultural Extension Research Group, said mentoring activities in Genilangit Village had been conducted through several KKN periods. Students and the mentoring team have collaborated with the village youth organization and local government to develop tourism potential while strengthening community economic activities.
According to Eny, tourism development requires innovation to keep pace with changing visitor interests. Therefore, the mentoring program focuses not only on tourism area management but also on harnessing creativity, including the development of animation to support the promotion of Genilangit as a tourist destination.
In addition to the mentoring activities, LPPM UNS provided a coffee maker to help park operators develop their canteen business. The assistance is expected to improve services for visitors while creating new business opportunities for the local community.
Genilangit Village Head Pardi said residents continued to develop creative products by utilizing local resources. One example is the processing of chayote into chips. The product was developed to reflect the agricultural potential of Genilangit, particularly its vegetable crops.
Pardi explained that tourism growth had also created opportunities for residents to diversify their sources of income. Rising visitor numbers have benefited local food stalls and other small businesses. Residents who previously relied on agriculture and livestock farming now have opportunities to develop tourism-related businesses without abandoning their main occupations.
“The direct impact on the community is that we can help grow MSMEs. There are batik products, processed foods and food stalls in the village,” Pardi said.
Developing Nature-Based Tourism Attractions
Genilangit Tourism Park began taking shape in 2014–2015, when the area’s forest resources were developed as a natural tourism attraction. Tourism grew rapidly in 2018–2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, when photo spots became one of the main draws for visitors.
Joko Sucipto, secretary of the Genilangit youth organization and a representative of the tourism park’s management, explained that changing tourism trends after the pandemic had prompted operators to introduce alternative activities. Whereas visitors previously came mainly to take photos and relax, interest has increasingly shifted toward experiential activities and outdoor pursuits.
“After the pandemic, visitor interests changed. People used to enjoy taking photos and relaxing, but now they are more interested in activities such as camping, hiking and community gatherings,” Joko said.
In response, the management team has begun developing other tourism attractions in the surrounding area, including Mount Kendil. A hiking trail in the area has been under development for about a year and offers visitors an alternative activity.
These efforts aim to sustain Genilangit Tourism Park amid changing visitor trends. The management team continues to preserve the area’s natural beauty and signature photo spots while expanding the range of activities available to give visitors more reasons to come.
Future tourism development is also expected to capitalize on hiking opportunities toward Kendil Hill. The area is considered to have potential as a nature-based attraction that complements other destinations in Magetan Regency.
Animation Mentoring and Strengthening the Coffee Business
Fostering creativity is one of the key focuses of LPPM UNS’s mentoring activities in Genilangit Village. Through the KKN program, students have helped the village youth organization develop animated content to support tourism promotion. The initiative is expected to broaden the ways in which local operators introduce the village’s attractions to wider audiences.
Meanwhile, the provision of a coffee maker serves as a stimulus to strengthen the canteen business in the tourism area. The support gives operators an opportunity to acquire new skills, from operating the equipment to preparing and serving coffee.
Joko said the coffee machine had created an opportunity for operators to diversify their food and beverage services. Previously, their knowledge of equipment operation and coffee preparation techniques had been limited. To address this, the management team has collaborated with a vocational high school in Poncol District to receive guidance on operating the machine and preparing coffee.
The collaboration also provides a learning opportunity for Genilangit residents to develop skills that can be applied to their businesses. In this way, improvements to tourism facilities can go hand in hand with human resource development and community economic empowerment.
Pardi expressed hope that mentoring from higher education institutions, including UNS, would continue through KKN programs and other community service initiatives. Such support is considered important in helping the village government, youth organization, tourism park operators and residents develop local potential in a structured and sustainable manner.
He also hopes Genilangit Tourism Park will become increasingly recognized as one of the supporting tourist destinations in Magetan Regency, which is widely associated with Lake Sarangan. Through nature-based tourism development, promotional innovation and the strengthening of the creative economy, Genilangit Village is expected to offer a wider variety of tourism experiences while expanding business opportunities for residents.
The initiative underscores UNS’s commitment to fulfilling the university’s Tridharma obligations, particularly community service, through collaboration with village governments and local communities. By integrating tourism development with MSME empowerment, UNS aims to ensure that tourism villages serve not only as visitor destinations but also as drivers of economic growth and improved community welfare.
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