Ensuring the Sustainable Development of Kandri Tourism Village Through the Implementation of Collaborative Management Practices

Abstract

The concept of collective management, or collective management, has long been ingrained in the lives of communities across the Indonesian archipelago. It embodies a deeply rooted social value within Indonesian society, particularly in regions where social cohesion remains strong. This sense of collective responsibility is still evident in rural areas and villages, where communal interests are prioritized over individual needs. One such example is the Kandri Tourism Village in Gunungpati, Semarang, which has preserved its social practices rooted in strong cultural and ethical values. In Kandri, culture serves as a unifying force that strengthens social bonds within the community. The village maintains its cultural heritage to ensure its sustainability as a tourism destination, with traditional events such as Nyadran Kali, the Obang-Abing Festival, Sesaji Rewanda, and the Goa Kreo Festival. These cultural activities are carried out through communal efforts, where residents work together, contributing what they can to ensure the success of these events. This cooperative spirit is not only instrumental in preserving Kandri as a sustainable tourism village but also serves as a medium to reinforce the community's inherited traditions. The people of Kandri share a strong emotional connection, considering themselves inseparable from one another, a bond that has been passed down through generations. The tradition of collective management exists because a system of mutual assistance has been a defining feature of Indonesian society since ancient times. Practices such as sambatan—helping others in need during rice planting, house building, village clean-up efforts, and other communal activities—have long been established in the communal consciousness, particularly among agricultural communities that value collective well-being. In Kandri Tourism Village, the application of collective management by village leaders has created a sustainable tourism environment. This is reflected in the development of homestays, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and educational tourism destinations, which have contributed to the village’s economy and created employment opportunities for residents, particularly those whose farmlands were affected by the construction of the Jatibarang reservoir.