Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta
Tourism in Yogyakarta, especially rural excursions, were suspended for more than a year following the massive earthquake that claimed more than 5,600 lives on May 27, 2006.
Residents have now rebuilt their damaged homes, visitors are returning and rural tourism is coming back to life.
Rural tourism involves the idea of "going back to nature" and emphasizes local cultural heritage as a tourist attraction.
Tourists can spend vacation time doing farm work, such as plowing fields and harvesting crops, or sampling traditional delicacies. They can also watch local performances, such as gejok lesung, work on handicrafts or go animal watching in the countryside.
There are some 30 rural tourism destinations in Yogyakarta, most of which are located in Sleman and Bantul regencies.
"Rural tourism stopped for a year following the quake. How could we concentrate on tourism when our homes were destroyed and many of our relatives killed in the quake," said Subandi, an operator of rural excursions based in Kebonagung, Bantul.
Subandi told The Jakarta Post that most of the 900 homes that used to accommodate visitors had been damaged.
The agricultural museum, located in the center of the village 17 kilometers south of Yogyakarta, was also damaged. Residents saved a number of ancient agricultural tools, but the building took a long time to restore.
Most residents are now living in their own homes, which have been rebuilt, albeit modestly. The agriculture museum is also not as grand as it was.
"We are determined to revive tourism in Kebonagung, step by step," said Subandi.
Tour operators were back in business, he said, promoting Yogya attractions in big cities and especially at schools.
"One of our targets is students, that's why we visit schools in large cities, especially Jakarta."
Tour groups have begun arriving in Kebonagung as the year draws to a close. Subandi expected tourism to return to normal next year, and possibly surpass 5,000 annual visitors, the average tourism draw before the quake.
Tour operators have organized various events in a bid to draw visitors. The Mulyo Pandowoharjo farmers group in Sleman has organized a new year's plowing competition. Thanks to support from government agencies, the traditional event has been included in the annual tourist agenda.
"This will be the first time that 150 participants take part in the plowing match. We want to make it a regular event aimed at drawing more tourists," said leader of the group Anas Sudibyo. According to Anas, between 2,000 and 3,000 tourists visit Pandowoharjo village each year.
Kajen, a village of 75 families in the Tirto area of Bantul and a favorite destination for day trips, has been pulling itself together. Restoring the village's pottery workshop is the first order of business. When the workshop is functioning normally, visitors get to make their own pottery.
Tourists have also staring visiting a wildlife conservation area in Kentingan village -- in Sleman -- again. There, a seasonal population of up to 10,000 egrets is the attraction.
From November to March the birds migrate to Kentingan and visitors find that their big-group antics can be very amusing.
Tazbirt, head of the Yogyakarta tourism office said, as more tourists arrive, more tourist attractions can be developed. As a general rule, the formula being used combines natural beauty and traditional social events, including village rituals.
However, Tazbir said, well-trained tourism workers were the key to ensuring positive experiences for tourists.
In addition, Tazbir acknowledged there were still lingering problems with tourists staying away -- especially from rural areas -- because they were "afraid" or viewed Yogyakarta as "disaster-prone".
In 2005 -- before the quake -- 120,000 foreign tourists visite. In 2006, the quake saw that number cut in half.
"The condition is gradually returning to normal, with 70,000 foreign visitors ... and still counting," he said.
"On long weekends Yogyakarta teems with domestic tourists. The streets are packed with cars bearing out-of-town registration numbers. That shows people no longer have second thoughts about visiting Yogyakarta."
Aware of the "danger" factor, regional tourism officials have organized promotion teams to convince people that Yogyakarta is safe.
"The tourism sector has returned to normal now, thanks to active participation by every element of society -- especially tour operators -- in the promotion drive," said Tazbir.
