Women’s Voices on the Transformation of Kandri–Semarang from an Ordinary Village into a Tourism Village

Abstract

This study explores local women’s voices on the transformation of Kandri Village, Semarang, Central Java, from an ordinary settlement into a tourism village, a process critical for fostering inclusive and community-centered development. The transformation of Kandri has been driven through collaborative initiatives involving village leadership, government agencies, and academic institutions. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative inquiry with field observation, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with ten local women from diverse professional backgrounds. Each interview was guided by the central question: “Could you share your opinion regarding the transformation of Kandri from an ordinary village into a tourism village?” The findings identify three distinct groups of women based on their perspectives toward the village’s tourism transformation: those who are enthusiastic and supportive of the change, those who remain neutral, and those who express disappointment due to their limited involvement in the process. While Kandri’s development as a tourism village has gained notable attention in academic and policy discussions, public awareness among Semarang residents remains limited despite the village’s proximity to the city. These insights highlight a disconnect between institutional narratives and community-level recognition, emphasizing the importance of enhancing communication, participation, and inclusiveness in tourism-driven rural development.