In 2012, the government provided US$ 500,000 to 53 villages around the island for the same purpose, with the highest concentration in Bangli, Buleleng, Tabanan, Karangasem and Gianyar.
This year, the government has announced that it will be providing close to US$400,000 for 45 more. The program is very important and greatly benefits villages striving to become tourist destinations. It helps with planning, management and marketing. Local communities create proposals themselves, but, the provincial government will support them in every way.
For villages that have been earmarked as beneficiaries, the money means development of tourism facilities such as parking lots for buses, the installation of public toilets and the improvement of village roads. Workshops and training sessions are also provided to villagers to help them better understand tourists’ requests.