An article by Luh De Suriyani, The Jakarta Post.

The Ecotourism Village Network (JED) is optimistic about the prospect of community-based tourism, which relies on the authenticity of Bali as its main attraction.

In spite of generating a lower income compared to mass tourism, this concept is considered a good way to facilitate equal development across all the island’s regencies.

I Gede Made Astana Jaya, manager of the network established 10 years ago, said that the villages earned more than half of the total revenue from the tourism businesses, while the remaining revenue was allocated to marketing, development and operational costs.

“Every year, the villages earn a higher income and most of the money goes to them directly,” said the man responsible for managing reservations.

JED was initiated by four villages on the island, each with its own characteristics. The four villages are Sibetan, famous for its salak (snake fruit); Tenganan, an old Balinese village in Karangasem regency; Pelaga in Badung, well known for its coffee; and Nusa Ceningan in Klungkung, a major producer of the seaweed abundant on the
306-hectare islet.

Pelaga boasts 242 hectares of organic coffee plantation in Kiadan hamlet, while Sibetan has 145 hectares of salak plantations in Dukuh hamlet.

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