At the Wonderful Indonesia Awards 2025, a reclaimed sand pit turned green tourism hub in Lombok Tengah takes top honors for authentic experiences, equitable growth, and environmental stewardship.
Desa Wisata Hijau Bilebante in Lombok Tengah, Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB), has been named Desa Wisata Terbaik Nasional 2025 at the Wonderful Indonesia Awards (WIA) 2025. The accolade recognizes villages that deliver authentic visitor experiences while spreading economic benefits across the community.
“Best National Tourism Village, an award given to villages that successfully present authentic experiences and economic equality” said Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana during the awards ceremony on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Bilebante is a case study in community-driven transformation. What was once a sand mining area was reclaimed into productive farmland and a sustainable tourism landscape. The result is a destination that blends agriculture, nature, and wellness—and invites travelers to slow down and engage with the rhythms of village life.
From Sand Mine to Sustainable Destination
The WIA jury assessed Bilebante across a comprehensive set of criteria:
- Village governance and recognition
- Visitor management and tourism product development
- Amenities, accessibility, and public facilities
- Environmental management
The village scored highly for professional management and long-term orientation, demonstrating how green tourismcan anchor local livelihoods while protecting landscapes.
“The tourists who come to the Bilebante Green Tourism Village are those who want to enjoy the village atmosphere itself. Not just to enjoy the sunset on the beach, but to enjoy it amidst the rice fields.” said Asrok, Head of Desa Wisata Hijau Bilebante.
Beyond sunset in the paddies, Bilebante offers spa experiences, a reflection massage pool, culinary tours, and cycling between rice fields. The village draws both domestic travelers and international tourists—notably from France, Malaysia, Mexico, Germany, and Spain—with active promotion in global markets, especially Europe and the Middle East.
Awards as a Benchmark for Better Tourism
Bilebante’s model shows how authentic, place-based tourism can catalyze inclusive economic gains. By aligning visitor experiences with land restoration and agriculture, the village channels revenue to local producers, microbusinesses, and community services, strengthening both resilience and competitiveness.
The Wonderful Indonesia Award 2025 is designed to recognize dedication, synergy, and contribution across the tourism sector. Vinsensius Jemadu, Acting Deputy for Event Development at the Ministry of Tourism, called WIA 2025 the culmination of yearlong assessments across 10 award categories and a signal of government commitment to collaboration among central and local governments, business, communities, and the public.
He emphasized that WIA should serve as a benchmark for quality: cleanliness, safety, consistent service, environmental responsibility, destination and event governance, leadership, and institutional strength.
“Through the Wonderful Indonesia Awards 2025, we are strengthening collaboration to make Indonesia a leading global destination that is sustainable and has high added value.” he said.
Lead image courtesy of Pigiblog
