UNESCO recognized Handicrafts to empower Communities in Tourism Villages

Aug 1st 2007

Over 30% of handicrafts produced in Bali and in Kasongan, Yogyakarta are bought directly by both domestic or international tourists, while 70% are exported or are sold through wholesalers, said Ukus Kuswara, Director for Community Empowerment in the Department of Culture and Tourism. The National Statistics Bureau mentioned that Indonesia’s total exports in handicrafts in 2004 came to a value of US$ 447 million, increasing 4.06% in 2005 to US$ 466 million, excluding handicrafts bought directly by consumers or transported by tourists.
  
Director Kuswara said that these handicraft centres, such as in Bali and Yogyakarta, form important links in tourist itineraries in Indonesia, but unfortunately, they do not as yet receive the attention they need especially from local governments. For, as a tourist destination, such villages need proper access roads and infrastructure, while their total environment should be kept traditional, away from modern architecture so as not to mar its total ambience as a centre of local culture, arts and handicrafts.

These villages could also offer other forms of local culture, such as dances, music and cuisine, and could then be promoted through tour operators.

In efforts to further empower communities in tourist handicraft villages, villagers are challenged to continue to adjust to market tastes, since offering traditional wares only will not be very saleable.  For this reason, villagers need training in product development, design, management and marketing, and strengthening of village organizations and handicraft associations, said Ukus Kuswara at a Workshop on “Increasing Global Competitiveness of Indonesia’s Handicrafts and support the Empowerment of Tourism Villages” held in the mountain resort of Puncak in West Java recently.

Firmanzah, Secretary for Post-Graduated Studies Program in Management at the Economic Faculty of the University of Indonesia, further added that weak capital and assets structure possessed by small and medium businesses in Indonesia have caused a high turn-over in skilled personnel, causing these to change profession to other businesses
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According to the National Statistics Bureau, Indonesia’s exports value of handicrafts in 2003 was only a 0.9% share of total world handicrafts exports, Indonesia being ranked at no. 24. Whereas, India managed to gain a 5.8% share, China 16.7% and Italy 13.56% of world handicrafts exports. 

In handicraft development, UNESCO’s Seal of Excellence (SoE) for Handicraft is the main reference in the world. The Seal of Excellence is not a competition with one winner, but is world acknowledgement of product quality in handicrafts based on tradition and art, creativity and innovation as well as being environment friendly. SoE also provides worldwide copyright for recognized products so that producers are encouraged to further enhance product design and its marketing.

In 2004 Indonesia succeeded to register 11 Seal winners, in 2006 there were 7 Seals among 15 sent for evaluation, or among a total of 25 products to win the SoE worldwide last year.

In this Seminar attended by 50 participants from the Department of Industry, the Department of Trade, The Ministry for Cooperatives and MSE, and the Indonesian Commission for UNESCO as well as officials from the Department of Culture and Tourism, delegates agreed to step up their common synergy to improve creativity and competitiveness of Indonesia’s handicrafts in the world as well as empower handicraft communities, especially those living in designated tourism handicraft villages.