Beyond Sustainability: How Bali's Penglipuran Village Points to a 'Regenerative Tourism' Future
Dr. Trisno Nugroho, a tourism scholar from Udayana University, presents the concept of 'regenerative tourism' based on research in Bali's popular Penglipuran tourism village. He argues that Bali must move beyond simply minimizing tourism's negative impacts and instead actively restore and strengthen the environment, culture, and community affected by growing visitor numbers.
Desa Wisata Penglipuran, a well-known tourism village in Bangli Regency, Bali, is celebrated for its clean layout, bamboo forest, traditional houses, and strong customary values. However, as the village has become more famous, it faces growing challenges: rising visitor numbers, crowding, heavier waste management burdens, pressure on walking paths and green spaces, and risks of excessive commercialization of traditional values.
Dr. Trisno Nugroho of Udayana University, former head of Bank Indonesia's Bali-Nusa Tenggara representative office, studied this case and developed the concept of 'regenerative tourism.' Unlike sustainable tourism, which focuses on minimizing harm, regenerative tourism asks how tourism can actively make a destination healthier, stronger, and more alive.
Based on his research, he proposed the 'REGENESIS Model' (also called the '6M Model' in Indonesian), consisting of six principles: restoring the environment, culture, and social life; respecting the carrying capacity of a place; generating greater benefits for local communities; strengthening culture and community; integrating all stakeholders; and building a continuous learning and evaluation system.
His research also found that community members who deeply understand the meaning, benefits, risks, and responsibilities of tourism are more likely to actively participate in protecting and developing their village. However, he notes that community engagement alone does not automatically lead to environmental restorationâwaste management, forest conservation, and visitor capacity control require clear systems and sustained commitment.
The concept, he argues, can be adapted to coastal villages, agricultural areas, and urban heritage sites across Bali and Indonesia. 'Bali is already world-famous, but that is not enough. It must remain a living cultural landscape and a home for its people,' he said.
Things to Consider
When visiting tourism villages like Penglipuran, stay on designated walking paths and respect rules around entering the bamboo forest or private homes. Carry out your own trash or use designated bins, and remember these villages are lived-in communitiesâavoid photographing homes or ceremonial spaces without permission. Booking guided tours through the village itself helps ensure tourism revenue benefits local residents and deepens understanding of local customs.
Source: Atnews