PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk (PGN) showcased the sustainable tourism ecosystem of Balkondes Karangrejo in Borobudur at the Discovering the Magnificence of Indonesia (DMI) Expo 2025 in the Netherlands. The event highlighted the village's transformation into a self-reliant eco-tourism model powered by clean energy. Several Dutch travel agents expressed interest in including the destination in their tour packages.
On October 30, 2025, PGN, as a gas subholding of PT Pertamina, presented the achievements of Balai Ekonomi Desa (Balkondes) PGN Karangrejo at the DMI Expo 2025 in Utrecht, Netherlands. This initiative supports the government's Destinasi Super Prioritas (DSP) ecosystem in the Borobudur area, Central Java, and Pertamina's Desa Energi Berdikari (DEB) program for community empowerment through sustainable tourism.
Balkondes Karangrejo, starting from simple homestays, has evolved into an integrated tourism ecosystem combining energy, village economy, and ecotourism. PGN provides a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cluster system for energy needs of around 150 households, along with solar panels for the area's electricity. In 2024, Balkondes recorded revenue of Rp 3.6 billion, with 80 percent local workforce trained to manage homestays, restaurants, and tour packages such as VW Safari tours, cycling, rafting, and agricultural education visits. Revenue is returned to the village via Pendapatan Asli Desa (PADes) to enhance community welfare.
Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. Mayerfas, stated, “The potential of Indonesia's natural wealth, spices, and tourism is enormous. Destinations outside Bali like Borobudur must continue to be developed to compete with other Southeast Asian countries.”
PGN's Division Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Krisdyan Widagdo Adhi, emphasized, “The most valuable aspect is not just the revenue increase, but the birth of community independence and mutual cooperation spirit. They now realize that village potential can be a source of welfare without damaging the environment.” He added that this model can be replicated in other destinations through partnerships between communities, government, and state-owned enterprises.
Following the business matching session, Dutch travel agents showed interest in promoting Balkondes as a culture-based and community ecotourism destination in the European market.