Promoting Purwakarta Tourism

KOMPAS/MELATI MEWANGI

Alpiadi Prawiraningrat.

Alpiadi Prawiraningrat, often called Adi, 26, is well known among Purwakarta’s young people. His work in promoting tourism and local cuisine is appreciated. Many of his suggestions are heard, ranging from trying new tourist sites to tourism management recommendations.

After a Student Leadership Training Program event at the Indonesian Education University’s campus in Purwakarta on Saturday (2/11/2019), Adi talked enthusiastically about the potential of Purwakarta tourism. His eyes looked fiery while he explained many things.

His memory goes back to four years ago when he founded a community and platform called Urang Purwakarta. This community aims to invite young people to share information about tourism potential, cuisine and interesting things in Purwakarta, West Java, through Instagram.

Over time, the community attracted the spotlight.

The initial idea was to gather a number of friends who shared the same interests in Purwakarta’s tourism potential and share it on social media. Over time, the community attracted the spotlight.

One of their little excursions that attracted attention was their first visit to Curug Tilu in Sukasari district, Purwakarta, in January 2015. The Sukasari Nature Lovers Community invited Adi and his friends to help promote the tourist attractions.

Thanks to this, he became even more excited to invite other young people to get involved.

At that time, the waterfall was still covered by dense forest and the road was mossy. The road was also still just dirt and rocks. Armed with a cell phone camera, he and his friends took photos from various angles.

On the side of the road, Adi saw three stalls selling food called nasi liwet. In Sundanese society, the tradition of ngaliwet, or communal meals of steamed tasty rice with various side dishes, is often held. Thanks to this, he became even more excited to invite other young people to get involved.

According to Adi, real conditions, such as access to locations, food stalls and food photos, must be conveyed in detail to the public. Furthermore, the myths and local wisdom must also be explained because they can be a magnet for tourists.

A few months later, when he returned to the same place, a nasi liwet seller thanked him because the stall was getting crowded. Adi did not expect his small role to have a big impact.

"Ujang, haturnuhun pisan [son, thank you very much]. My food stall gets many customers after you eat and take photos here. The food stall has now been renovated, "Adi said, recalling the nasi liwet seller.

Another memorable experience was before the official opening of a “river tubing” tour on the Ngaprak River in Wanayasa district.

He had a chance to enjoy the tour, but, unluckily, in the middle of the journey his left foot was wounded after hitting a rock.

Thanks to this, he became even more excited to invite other young people to get involved.

"It is important for tourism managers to ensure safety is never forgotten. Don\'t let other visitors get hurt, just me," he said.

Adi never thought his community could have such a positive impact on young people and local residents. Thanks to this, he became even more excited to invite other young people to get involved.

Through his @urangpurwakarta account on Instagram, which has 27,800 followers, Adi and his team enthusiastically promote tourism. A range of information is provided for every site, from the location, the atmosphere, to the best spots for taking photos. He also uses Facebook to promote Purwakarta.

Collaboration

Adi is not alone in managing Urang Purwakarta. He works with 15 other young people to improve regional tourism. A number of programs have been born from this community.

The first program, called Bersama, was to provide sarongs and mukena (women’s praying clothes) at mosques in tourism sites. This program arose out of concern there was a lack of sarongs and mukena for performing worship. "This is based on a real experience we often encounter. We often found difficulties getting a sarong or mukena during prayer time, "Adi said.

Another program is social tourism action responsibility (STAR). This activity is carried out to assist tourism managers in the provision of trash bins, P3K boxes and tourist signage. Again, this program was born out of concern about the number of tourist sites that still lack facilities and infrastructure.

When at the tourist sites, they also help collect garbage. They also remind other visitors not to litter. The majority of the funds for the social activities come from their own pockets. Urang Purwakarta is also open to donors who want to help develop tourism.

Adi and his friend, Dian Handayani, founded KLUG, which is a reading park with a tourism concept in Pasawahan district, Purwakarta. This reading park aims to introduce the world of tourism to children through reading. KLUG also educates them on how to maintain and preserve tourist attractions. One form of simple education is to teach children not to litter.

The application presents a list of tourist and culinary places, telephone info, community info, emergency numbers and suggestions for future tourism development.

He became even more serious about developing tourism in 2017. At that time, Adi with his three friends, Jaya Wina, 23; Fariz Ramadhan, 24, and Feby A Dzuhri, 26, created an application called SAMPURASUN that aimed to help tourists when visiting Purwakarta. The application presents a list of tourist and culinary places, telephone info, community info, emergency numbers and suggestions for future tourism development.

They received development assistance from the Purwakarta Sports and Culture Sport Office amounting to Rp 50 million. Currently, the application has been downloaded more than 5,000 times.

Throughout his journey, some people have sneered at Adi\'s efforts to promote tourism in Purwakarta. Many negative voices accused him of only trying to benefit himself.

However, Adi was not bothered by their talk. In fact, they drove him to continue contributing and sharing his inspiration with young people. "That became a challenge. Many things can become viral, but not all of them can survive and consistently spread positive and useful content," he said.

His practice of promoting tourism through technology led him to be named the Innovative Youth of Purwakarta 2019, Youth Pioneer of Purwakarta Regency for Technology Innovation in 2018 and to be awarded a national award as third place in the Most Popular Tourism Promotion 2018 from the Tourism Ministry.

According to him, the potential for natural tourism in each district is great, but not all are well known to the public.

Adi has myriad dreams that have yet to materialize, including integrating local tourism and technology by involving young people. According to him, the potential for natural tourism in each district is great, but not all are well known to the public.

Adi\'s target is to develop a network of interdistrict promotion campaigns. "If we [young people] do not recognize that potential, Purwakarta might be forgotten," said Adi.

Adi is never satisfied with his achievements. As time goes by, he wants young people to use technology to share positive things. His passion to increase the tourism potential of Purwakarta still burns.

KOMPAS/MELATI MEWANGI

Alpiadi Prawiraningrat, Kenalkan Potensi Wisata Purwakarta Lewat Teknologi.

Alpiadi Prawiraningrat

Born: Purwakarta, 4 April 1993 Education:

- SMP Negeri 1 Purwakarta (2005-2008)

- SMA Negeri 1 Purwakarta

(2008-2011)

- Bachelor in Politics, Faculty of Social and Political Science, University of Indonesia (2011-2015)