Sukabumi, July 2, 2025 - A warm atmosphere filled with local wisdom greeted the UNESCO Global Geopark Council assessor team, Bojan Rezun from Slovenia and Zhang Chenggong from China, as they visited Hanjeli Tourism Village, one of the leading community empowerment hotspots within the Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu UNESCO Global Geopark (CPUGGp) area.
The visit was guided by Asep Hidayat, representing the Hanjeli Tourism Village management, along with the community members actively developing the village as a local culture-based agrotourism destination. The two assessors were welcomed with traditional arts performances and treated to specialties made from hanjeli—a local cereal that symbolizes food security and the cultural identity of the Sukabumi community. "This village is extraordinary. We see a very harmonious blend of traditional agriculture, culture, and community-based tourism. This is a true example of the UNESCO Global Geopark philosophy," said Zhang Chenggong with admiration.
Bojan Rezun added that the strength of Hanjeli Tourism Village lies in its authenticity and active community involvement. "This isn't just tourism; it's a sustainable lifestyle passed down through generations," he said.
The Head of the Sukabumi Regency Tourism Office, Sendi Apriadi, S.STP., M.Si., who accompanied the visit, stated that Hanjeli Tourism Village represents the successful transformation from an agrarian village into an educational tourism village without abandoning local cultural roots and values.
"This is the face of Sukabumi tourism that we strive for: growing from the ground up, community-based, and in harmony with nature. Hanjeli is not just a food crop, but a symbol of the cultural and economic sovereignty of the residents," Sendi emphasized.
He said that the active role of the community in managing tourism—from homestays and culinary experiences to agricultural education—proves that geoparks are not just about rocks and scenery, but also about people, values, and life.
This visit emphasized that CPUGGp has a holistic approach to tourism development: combining conservation, education, and community economic empowerment.
Optimism in this revalidation process is not merely meant to maintain UNESCO status, but rather as a strategic opportunity to re-ground our perspective on how to redefine the ecosystem and preserve nature in a more sustainable way, while actualizing community empowerment towards sustainable, empowered prosperity rooted in local values.

Author: Ilham M Saputra.