Post-Pandemic resilient rural tourism in Yogyakarta: Community-led strategies toward a blue economy

Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: wisnu.setiawan@ums.ac.id

Abstract

The COVID-19 epidemic not only forces local people to adjust to a new reality but also badly impacts rural tourism. Two Yogyakarta, Indonesia villages – Desa Brayut and Desa Kebonagung – whose longstanding community-led rural tourism activities have been well-known, form the subject of this study. Under a comparative case study method, this study explores post-pandemic adjustment strategies by means of field observations, interviews, and focus-group discussion. The analysis work employed a thematic analysis approach. Desa Brayut evolved in response to using its robust community networks and moving to small-group, specialized travel. On the other hand, Desa Kebonagung maximized the agricultural advantages by embracing agrotourism and farm-to-table experiences. Although they are different, both villages demonstrate the enormous need of community involvement in the resilience of tourism. Emphasized in the paper are basic ideas for sustainable rural tourism: the need for local economic development, digital revolution, and cross-village contact. The results support current debates on rural post-pandemic recovery and sustainable travel development and contribute to the development of feedback to the stakeholders.