UNS — Digitalization is a common phenomenon during the pandemic, including in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the rural regions. Considering this opportunity, the Diploma Program (D-3) in Informatics Engineering Vocational School (SV) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta take a role in developing the Watu Gambir Rural Tourism in Karanganyar District.
Faculty Members in Applied Informatics Research Group (RG) with Hartatik, S.Si., M.Si., Abdul Aziz, M.Cs., and Nurul Firdaus, M.Info.Tech., as members implemented research and community service program in 2021 that focuses on the digitalization of rural tourism. As an implementation of Tri Dharma, the program that aims to promote the great natural tourism potential in Watu Gambir was implemented under a collaboration with Karang Village Chief, Dwi Purwoto, S.E., and the Head of Tourism, Youth, and Sports Office Karanganyar District, Drs. Titis Sri Jawoto.
The local governments support the promotion efforts through Smart Village we application, the creation of video profiles, and social media. Students of Diploma Program (D-3) in Informatics Engineering were also involved in the program: A. Niko P., Windhi Nur Safitri, and Hafidh An Naafi Suratno.
The “Go wisata” web page is projected to facilitate the local community to promote their tourism destination digitally. Visitors will also be assisted in finding the location and information on points of interest in Watu Gambir rural tourism such as flower garden, lake, reserve camping ground, river tubing, lodging, restaurants, and boats.
The developed application also empowers local people who own hotels or culinary businesses to promote their business. The Tourism Office involvement is also expected to hold the digitalization process in the rural tourism destination. “Go Wisata” Application is an implementation and development of fundamental research, “Go-Payment,” as an effort to improve the tourism industry amid the digital payment era.
“Using this application, we hope to bridge one another and bring benefits for the Diploma Program (D-3) in Informatics Engineering UNS, village apparatus, local community, and tourist of Watu Gambir, continue to develop my village, visit wisatagambir.com, and empower our village. Salam bergerak,” Hartatik stated. Humas UNS
Reporter: Rangga P.A.
Editor: Dwi Hastuti