The Graduate School of Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD) has launched a forward-thinking community service program titled “Enhancing the Digital Potential of Panunjang Village Toward Smart-Tourism”, aimed at accelerating digital transformation and energy-conscious tourism development in rural areas. The program aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by promoting energy-efficient technologies and encouraging the responsible use of digital infrastructure within the tourism sector.

This initiative equips local communities with the skills and knowledge to manage tourism digitally—such as creating online information systems, using mobile-based booking platforms, and integrating low-energy technologies for visitor services. Through these interventions, the program fosters a smart-tourism ecosystem that minimizes energy consumption while maximizing local economic impact. The approach also introduces sustainable practices in tourism management, such as using solar-powered signage or promoting energy-efficient lighting in homestays and tourism facilities.

“We believe that digital innovation must go hand-in-hand with sustainability,” said Dr. M.D. Enjat Munajat, the program leader. “Our goal is not only to boost tourism potential but also to ensure that the growth of rural tourism remains environmentally responsible.”

By combining digital empowerment with energy awareness, the program sets a new standard for rural development—where smart-tourism becomes a gateway for green innovation, economic inclusion, and sustainable energy adoption in Indonesia’s villages.