Bali’s Penglipuran Village has emerged as a trailblazer in the world of tourism, making headlines when it was acclaimed as the “Cleanest Village in the World” back in 2016.

Since then, the village has continuously evolved to provide innovative and engaging experiences for tourists. Located in Bangli Regency, Bali’s Penglipuran Village stands as a testament to the preservation of traditional Balinese culture in its purest form.

With over a million tourists visiting annually, Penglipuran Village has become a significant cultural attraction for both domestic and international travelers. In August, the village’s management team introduced a groundbreaking initiative known as the “We Care Penglipuran” program, designed to allow tourists to support the community’s ongoing efforts to maintain its reputation as one of the cleanest villages globally.

The We Care Penglipuran Program

The We Care Penglipuran program offers tourists an exciting opportunity to contribute to the village’s cleanliness while enjoying their visit. Under this unique initiative, tourists can exchange litter they collect for entry tickets, creating a win-win scenario for all parties involved.

The scheme is simple yet effective: tourists are encouraged to pick up inorganic waste, such as plastic bottles and wrappers, during their visit. They can then return this collected waste to the ticket counter when they depart. The entry tickets acquired through this program are valid and transferable, making them suitable for gifting to others or for use during a subsequent trip to Bali.

Wayan Sumiarsa, the Head of Penglipuran Village, expressed his enthusiasm for the program, stating, “In order to strengthen the branding of the cleanest village, we created the We Care Penglipuran program. This program involves tourists in caring about the cleanliness of Penglipuran Village.”

He further emphasized, “We hope that with We Care Penglipuran, we can strengthen the branding of the cleanest village and ensure that tourism in Penglipuran Village remains sustainable for generations to come.” However, given the village’s remarkable cleanliness, some tourists may find it challenging to collect enough trash to exchange for a reward. It’s essential to note that participation in the program is entirely voluntary, and tourists are free to decline the opportunity if they prefer.

A Model for the Future

While the We Care Penglipuran program is currently exclusive to Bali’s Penglipuran Village, it has sparked discussions among Bali enthusiasts about its potential as a model for other popular destinations on the island. Bali faces mounting challenges related to plastic pollution, and introducing similar initiatives at other tourist hotspots could be a step in the right direction.

While it may seem like a small contribution in the grand scheme of things, these incentives have the power to raise awareness among tourists and encourage them to be more respectful of Bali’s natural beauty.

A Magical Experience Awaits

A visit to Bali’s Penglipuran Village offers a truly enchanting experience. Tourists now have the opportunity to stay overnight in traditional homestays, providing an immersive glimpse into the community’s efforts to preserve Balinese culture.

Sumiarsa shared, “We manage a village-owned guest house with three rooms. Our concept offers tourists the sensation of staying in the cleanest village in the world with an old-fashioned touch. There are no TVs or internet connections, allowing guests to disconnect from the modern world.”

However, for those who need to stay connected, the village does have cell signal coverage. Overnight packages range from 1 to 3 nights and include entry to Penglipuran Village, breakfast, and a truly unique dining experience.

An Unforgettable Dining Experience

Once the day visitors have left the village, the community comes together to create an exclusive dining experience for overnight guests. With no cars or mopeds in Penglipuran Village, the central pathway becomes the perfect location for an extraordinary dining experience.

Sumiarsa explained, “Our dinner offers a megibung (buffet) concept, featuring local menus from Penglipuran Village. The menu includes satay lilit, tilapia nyat-nyat, vegetable urab, jukut undis, nasi sela, and marrow porridge for dessert.”

He added, “Visitors often mention that they experience the sensation of staying in a village, something they rarely encounter in the city, with sounds like chickens in the morning and dogs barking.”

Bali’s Penglipuran Village stands as a testament to the preservation of Balinese culture and environmental sustainability. The We Care Penglipuran program not only helps maintain the village’s cleanliness but also sets an example for responsible tourism that could be adopted elsewhere in Bali. A visit to this remarkable village promises an unforgettable cultural and natural experience.

FAQs

1. How can tourists participate in the We Care Penglipuran program? Tourists can participate in the program by picking up inorganic waste during their visit to Penglipuran Village and exchanging it for entry tickets at the ticket counter.

2. Is participation in the program mandatory for tourists? No, participation in the We Care Penglipuran program is entirely voluntary, and tourists are free to decline if they choose.

3. What does the overnight package at Penglipuran Village include? The overnight package includes entry to Penglipuran Village, accommodation in a traditional homestay, breakfast, and a unique dining experience.

4. How can tourists book an overnight stay in Penglipuran Village? Tourists can inquire about and book an overnight stay in Penglipuran Village through the village-owned guest house.

5. Can tourists gift their entry tickets acquired through the program to someone else? Yes, the entry tickets obtained through the We Care Penglipuran program are transferable and can be gifted to others or used during a future visit to Bali.