Edith Cowan University and Undiknas Students Study Sustainable Ecotourism Models in Penglipuran and Kintamani
Kintamani, Bali, December 9, 2025 – Universitas Pendidikan Nasional (Undiknas), together with a student delegation from Edith Cowan University (ECU), Australia, continued their cross-cultural study agenda by visiting Bangli Regency. This activity was focused on direct observation of community-based tourism management models and environmental conservation. Two iconic destinations served as the primary locus of this visit: Penglipuran Tourism Village and the Kintamani highlands, representing the harmony between local wisdom and the potential of Bali’s natural landscape.
At Penglipuran Tourism Village, the group gained empirical experience regarding village governance, which has received global recognition as one of the cleanest villages in the world. Students were invited to delve into the social structure and customs of the local community, which firmly upholds traditional spatial philosophy. This observation provided deep insights for the delegates regarding how community discipline in maintaining local wisdom is capable of creating a residential environment that is orderly, pristine, and sustainable across generations. The exploration in Penglipuran continued with a walkthrough of the bamboo forest area, which functions as the village’s protective green belt. The existence of this lush and serene bamboo forest serves not only as an ecological conservation area to maintain water and soil quality but also possesses significant economic and cultural value for the local residents. ECU and Undiknas students had the opportunity to witness firsthand how the Penglipuran community maintains the balance of the forest ecosystem as an integral part of their village identity.
The series of activities concluded with a visit to the Kintamani area, offering a volcanic panorama of Mount Batur and its caldera. Within the cool and calming mountain atmosphere, participants enjoyed distinctive local Kintamani coffee while reflecting on the day’s academic journey. This moment was utilized to discuss the potential of coffee agrotourism and the beauty of the geopark as leading tourist attractions, while simultaneously strengthening the camaraderie between students of both nations in a more relaxed setting.
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