24 February 2026

From Study to Strategy: Frans Bukardi’s Role in Shaping East Manggarai’s Tourism

When Frans Bukardi sees potential for tourism in a village, his vision is not only to build a leisure destination but also to strengthen the community through economic participation and environmental stewardship.Joining the Australia Awards Short Course on Sustainable Tourism Management at Griffith University has further strengthened his long-term commitment to inclusive, sustainable growth.

Frans is the Secretary of the Department of Tourism and Culture in East Manggarai Regency, Flores. The region boasts a wealth of cultural and natural heritage, yet local communities continue to face challenges in converting these assets into sustainable economic opportunities.

Applying for the Short Course in 2023 proved to be a pivotal moment in his professional journey.

‘I didn’t expect to be chosen,’ he said. ‘But I took the chance to talk about what we’ve done for our community and the role I’have played in trying to lift people out of poverty. Honesty, I think, that made a difference.’

Learning Best Practices from Australia

The two-week Short Course combined lectures, workshops and field visits across Queensland. Frans and his peers visited Kuranda Village, Mossman Gorge, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Port Douglas, gaining insights into how tourism destinations are managed with sustainability at the core.

He was especially struck by Australia’s public services and tourism infrastructure. The overall cleanliness in public areas, efficient emergency responses and well-maintained facilities stood out to him as examples of what is possible when public services are prioritised.

Moreover, the integration of clear signage, information boards and sustainable site management at places like Mossman Gorge and Kuranda Village offered practical models that he hoped to replicate at home.

‘Everything was clean. No trash, no plastic, not even cigarette butts. You never get lost in Australia. Everything is written and clearly explained,’ he recalled.

Establishing the Ligota Beach Festival

Upon returning home, Frans applied the skills he gained to develop Compang Ndejing Tourism Village^{^[1]}, one of 12 villages designated to implement community-based tourism policies.

Located near the regency’s capital, the village is known for Ligota Beach and its horticultural produce, including corn, melons, bananas and coconuts. Despite these strengths, the village lacked direction and effective planning to develop its tourism sector.

Recognising this gap, Frans proposed a new initiative: the Ligota Beach Festival. The event would serve as a platform to bring together the village's agricultural, cultural and natural assets, while promoting sustainable tourism practices.

‘I wanted this to be more than just an event. It had to be something that would open people’s eyes to the real value of our local potential,’ Frans said.

While planning for the festival began in 2023, it was postponed until 2024.

Facing significant budget constraints, Frans managed to secure funding through a collaborative model involving his office, the village government and private sponsors.

Building Trust and Knowledge in the Community

Raising awareness and building trust among local stakeholders proved to be a gradual process. Many community members were unfamiliar with tourism principles and hesitant to get involved.

Frans tackled this through persistent engagement, including conducting meetings, holding informal discussions and showcasing the tangible benefits that tourism could bring to their village.

‘When we first talked about the festival, people didn’t understand why it mattered. But once they saw their kids involved, their neighbours preparing stalls, and visitors enjoying the village, they began to see the value,’ Frans said.

His experience in the Short Course proved instrumental. The principles of social inclusion, collaboration and sustainable planning guided his approach. Frans engaged local schools, households, and government units to assist.

He also leveraged his alumni network, including peers and mentors such as Professor Noel Scott^{^[2]}, the Short Course Program Leader from the University of the Sunshine Coast, for technical advice and encouragement.

‘The Short Course taught me that collaboration is essential. I discussed a lot with Professor Noel, and he shared insights on the aspects I must retain to create a sustainable event. That’s when I realised that sustainability is not only about the environment, but also about how people relate to their land and each other,’ he shared.

A Flores Festival with Queensland Inspiration

The Ligota Beach Festival was held on 24–26 April 2024^{^[3]}. Frans designed the festival in two phases: pre-event and main event.

Pre-event activities centred around building environmental awareness and practical preparation. Residents were encouraged to build bamboo fences and rubbish bins in front of their homes, plant flowers and participate in community clean-up drives. Women in the village received culinary training to develop value-added products from local ingredients.

‘These were inspired by what I saw in Queensland. The idea is to embed sustainability through everyday actions,’ Frans said.

Frans noted that in places like Mossman Gorge and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, even the smallest environmental practices, such as waste segregation, the use of natural materials and clearly labelled pathways, had a lasting impact on visitor behaviour and perception. He wanted the people of Compang Ndejing to adopt a similar mindset, believing that small changes could lead to a greater cultural shift.

‘If we want tourists to respect our space, we must first show that we value it ourselves. This festival was the start of that,’ he added.

The huge range of stakeholders that Frans engaged included 33 schools, local government, youth groups and regional media outlets. Over 9,000 people attended the event, and the total revenue reached approximately IDR 28.8 million (AUD 2,400), all of which was reinvested into the village for community services.

Growing Vision for Tourism Development

In April 2025^{^[4]}, the Ligota Beach Festival returned with a renewed commitment to community engagement and environmental sustainability.

To prove it can be a sustainable event in the long term, the 2025 festival recorded another 9,000 visitors. However, revenue rose significantly, surpassing IDR 70 million (AUD 5,800) due to improved logistics, better marketing and a stronger presence of microbusinesses.

Frans’ vision for sustainable tourism in East Manggarai continues to grow. He has applied for a Masters degree in Sustainable Tourism Management through the Australia Awards Scholarship, hoping to strengthen his theoretical foundation and expand his strategic capacity to drive change at a larger scale.

In the meantime, he actively mentors other emerging tourism villages in the region. One of his current interests is Bamo, a village with untapped potential for nature-based tourism, including camping and horseback riding. He believes his practical experience and network of collaborators can help replicate the success of Compang Ndejing.

‘As a secretary, for now, I can only give suggestions. But with broader responsibilities, I could help translate more of these ideas into action,’ he said.

Frans also remains active in digital storytelling. Through social media, he regularly shares insights from the field, promotes local products and festivals and advocates for tourism as a means of community development.

‘I believe tourism can help us reduce poverty in our region,’ he said. ‘With the right knowledge and collaboration, we can make a real difference.’