The recognition of Gampong Nusa Tourism Village in the Lhoknga District of Aceh Besar Regency marks a significant milestone in the development of community-based tourism within the Indonesian archipelago. By securing a prestigious accolade at the ASEAN Tourism Awards 2023-2025, the village’s homestay facilities have officially reached a regional benchmark of quality, signaling to international travelers that the accommodations meet rigorous standards of hospitality, cleanliness, and authenticity. This achievement was formalized during an award ceremony held at the Kraton Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel in Yogyakarta, where the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, personally presented the award to the Village Head, or Keuchik, of Gampong Nusa, Yasin.
The attainment of this regional award serves as a testament to the long-term dedication of the Gampong Nusa community, which has spent nearly two decades refining its tourism offerings. According to Keuchik Yasin, the recognition from the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) implies that the village’s homestays are now categorized as world-class, or at the very least, compliant with the standardized criteria shared by Southeast Asian nations. This validation is expected to bolster the confidence of foreign tourists considering a visit to Aceh, a province that has worked tirelessly to rebrand itself as a premier destination for cultural and sustainable tourism.
A Legacy of Resilience and Hospitality
The history of Gampong Nusa’s hospitality is deeply intertwined with the province’s broader narrative of recovery and resilience. Following the devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami in December 2004, the village became a focal point for international aid workers and volunteers. It was during this period of reconstruction that the local population began to open their homes to outsiders, initially as a gesture of gratitude and necessity. Over time, this organic interaction evolved into a structured community-based tourism (CBT) model.
By providing lodging to humanitarian workers and later to domestic and international travelers from countries such as the United States, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam, the residents of Gampong Nusa developed an innate understanding of hospitality. This historical context provides the foundation for the 45 homestay rooms currently operational in the village. The transition from a disaster-stricken area to an award-winning tourism hub is a rare success story that highlights the power of local agency and social capital.
In 2021, the village gained national prominence when it won first place in the Indonesian Tourism Village Award (Anugerah Desa Wisata Indonesia or ADWI) specifically in the homestay category. The transition from national recognition to regional ASEAN acclaim within two years demonstrates a consistent upward trajectory in the village’s management and service quality.
Understanding the ASEAN Tourism Standards
The ASEAN Tourism Awards are not merely honorary titles; they are based on a comprehensive set of criteria known as the ASEAN Tourism Standards. These standards were developed to enhance the quality of tourism human resources and services across the ten member states. For the homestay category, the evaluation covers several critical pillars, including host involvement, accommodation quality, cleanliness, safety, and the promotion of local culture and heritage.
To qualify for such an award, a village must demonstrate that its homestays are integrated into the local way of life. Unlike commercial hotels, ASEAN-standard homestays require the host to live on the premises and engage with guests, providing an authentic cultural exchange. The facilities must also adhere to strict hygiene protocols—a factor that has become increasingly important in the post-pandemic travel landscape. Gampong Nusa’s success indicates that its 45 registered rooms have successfully balanced modern amenities with the traditional Acehnese architectural and social nuances.
Minister Sandiaga Uno has frequently emphasized that tourism villages are the "spearhead" of Indonesia’s economic recovery. By elevating local villages to ASEAN standards, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) aims to create a more decentralized tourism economy, moving away from a heavy reliance on Bali and toward diverse regional destinations like Aceh.
Socio-Economic Impact and Community Empowerment
The primary objective of developing Gampong Nusa into a high-caliber tourism destination is the improvement of the local economy. Keuchik Yasin noted that the influx of visitors directly translates into increased income for the villagers. However, the economic impact extends far beyond the rental of rooms. The "homestay economy" creates a multiplier effect that benefits various sectors of the village.
Local culinary entrepreneurs provide traditional Acehnese meals for guests, while artisans find a market for their handicrafts, such as traditional weaving and products made from recycled waste—a specialty for which Gampong Nusa is well-known. The village has gained a reputation for its "zero waste" approach, where community members transform organic and inorganic waste into valuable souvenirs. This environmental consciousness adds a layer of sustainability to the tourism model, appealing to the growing demographic of eco-conscious travelers.
Furthermore, the management of these homestays encourages the involvement of the youth and women in the village. By participating in digital marketing, guest management, and tour guiding, the younger generation is provided with viable career paths within their own community, reducing the need for urban migration. This preservation of the social fabric is a cornerstone of the Gampong Nusa model.
Strategic Positioning of Aceh Tourism
The recognition of Gampong Nusa comes at a time when the Aceh provincial government is aggressively promoting its "Halal Tourism" and "Cultural Tourism" brands. As a region with a unique semi-autonomous status and the implementation of Sharia law, Aceh offers a distinct cultural experience within Indonesia. Gampong Nusa serves as a model for how traditional values and modern tourism standards can coexist harmoniously.
The village’s proximity to the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, and its location near the scenic coastline of Lhoknga make it a strategic stop for travelers. By securing the ASEAN Tourism Award, Gampong Nusa helps dispel misconceptions about the region, presenting Aceh as a welcoming, safe, and professional destination. The endorsement by ASEAN neighboring countries acts as a powerful marketing tool, particularly for attracting visitors from Malaysia and Brunei, who share similar cultural and religious ties with the Acehnese people.
Future Aspirations and Sustainable Growth
Despite the current success, the leadership of Gampong Nusa is looking toward future expansion and further accolades. Keuchik Yasin expressed hope that the village would eventually win awards in other categories, such as "Digital Village" or "Sustainable Tourism Destination." The long-term vision is to create a holistic tourism ecosystem where every aspect of village life—from agriculture to waste management—is integrated into the visitor experience.
To maintain the ASEAN standard, the village must engage in continuous capacity building. This involves regular training for homestay owners in English language proficiency, digital literacy, and international culinary standards, while ensuring that the core "Acehnese identity" remains untouched. The challenge for Gampong Nusa will be to scale its operations without losing the intimate, community-centric charm that earned it the award in the first place.
The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has pledged continued support for tourism villages through infrastructure improvements and promotional campaigns. As part of the national strategic plan, villages like Gampong Nusa are expected to contribute to the target of achieving 7.4 million international arrivals and 1.4 billion domestic tourist trips in the coming years.
Conclusion: A Model for the Region
The achievement of Gampong Nusa Tourism Village at the ASEAN Tourism Awards 2023-2025 is more than just a win for a single regency in Aceh; it is a blueprint for community-led development across Indonesia. It proves that with consistent leadership, community participation, and government support, a small village can transform its local heritage into a globally recognized tourism product.
As the tourism industry continues to shift toward authenticity and sustainability, Gampong Nusa is well-positioned to become a leading destination in Southeast Asia. The 45 homestay rooms in this village represent 45 families whose lives have been improved through tourism, and their success serves as an inspiration for thousands of other "Desa Wisata" across the Indonesian archipelago. By meeting ASEAN standards, Gampong Nusa has not only opened its doors to the world but has also set a high bar for excellence in hospitality that reflects the true spirit of Indonesia.
