From Barren Land into Tourist Destination (Study of Local Community-Based Tourism in Bleberan village, Playen, Gunungkidul)

Gunung Kidul is an area with limestone hills. The topography makes this area lack of water. Drought often hit and makes agriculture in this area infertile. Gunung Kidul has stigma as a dry region with population in poor life and low education as well as high suicide rates. Nevertheless, some villagers in Bleberan, Playen Palyen, sub District try to eradicate the stigma, and they make Bleberan as a tourist village. Oyan river flows through the village. The water comes from waterfall and natural cave called Sri Gethuk and Rancang Kencono consecutively. Visitors can row boat in the river or they explore the natural cave. In average tourists visiting Bleveran village amount 400 people in normal days, 600 on weekend and 6000 in Eid Holiday. Last year the village authority earned Rp. 1,9 billion from tourism sector. It is not surprising that in the past year Bleberan village got the Best Tourism Village in Yogyakarta. This article will look at the efforts made by Bleberan Village Tourism to develop its natural resources and therefore Bleberan villagers will improve their life quality. The method used in this research is qualitative descriptive case study. The conclusion is that Bleberan villagers try to overcome poverty stigma by establishing such a modern-solid organization involving all parties in their activities. Keywords: local-based community; tourism