Bali’s Jatiluwih Rice Terraces have once again received international acclaim.
The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces already hold UNESCO World Heritage Protected Status and have been listed by the UN World Tourism Organization as one of the world’s best tourism villages.
The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces have been named as winners at the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories 2025. The huge international awards ceremony was held in Montpellier, France, on Tuesday, 30th September. Jatiluwih was named as one of the world’s most sustainable travel destinations.
The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces not only represent Bali Province, but all of Indonesia too, as the attraction was the only destination in Indonesia to be included in the running. While 100 attractions and destinations made the winners list in 2025, over 600 were up for consideration across 60 counties.
To win the well-deserved place on the Green Destinations Stories List for 2025, Jatiluwih submitted its inspiring tale titled “Green Miracle in a Cultural Heritage Living Museum. The story highlighted how Bali’s traditional Subak irrigation system can coexist with modern tourism without losing its soul.
The award was received by John Ketut Purna, the Head of the Jatiluwih Tourism Management, who told reporters, “This award belongs to the entire Jatiluwih community. We preserve traditions not merely to be remembered, but to be lived by future generations.”
He added, “We hope that every guest who comes will not just be a spectator, but will also connect, learn, and take home inspiration on how to live in harmony with nature, culture, and society.” The award is set to help more international tourists learn about Jatiluwih and plan visits to the region.
The Jatiluwih Rice Terrace management team and surrounding communities have long been committed to maintaining the village as a regenerative tourism destination.
The concept of regenerative tourism goes beyond sustainable tourism initiatives, emphasizing that tourism management involves not only preserving culture, nature, and traditions, but also actively restoring ecosystems, strengthening cultural identity, and enhancing community well-being.
For years, the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces have worked to prove that well-managed tourism can actively help preserve and conserve both cultural and ecological resources. In late 2024, Purna informed reporters about the essential role of tourism in preserving the UNESCO World Heritage Site and its surrounding landscape.
He told reporters, “What we are afraid of is that there will be buildings in the middle of the rice fields. Therefore, we made the Jatiluwih Village Regulation (Perdes) so that our natural sustainability is maintained, so that it is not like our neighboring areas.”
In 2024, Jatiluwih Rice Terraces were listed among the winners of the World’s Best Tourism Village Awards 2024 by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation. The award was previously won by Bali’s Penglupuran Village in Bangli Regency, which catapulted the community tourism initiative onto the world stage.
Speaking upon receiving last year’s life-changing award on behalf of the community, Purna shared, “Astungkara, this is an amazing award. Thanks to the support of all the people, Jatiluwih Village received the award of one of the best villages in the world in 2024.”
Adding “One of the concerns is the preservation of cultural heritage, preserving the environment, and the development of tourism with full responsibility.” He concluded, “Of course, this is not only because of us but also because of the people in Jatiluwih Village who are both committed and have put forward the Tri Hita Karana philosophy to receive this award.”
One of the best times of day to visit the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces is at sunrise. Not only does this ensure a crowd-free visit, but the early morning light shining over the landscape is truly magical. Tourists are reminded that above all else, Jatiluwih Rice Terraces is a working agricultural landscape that is the lifeblood of the island. Guided tours are highly recommended not only to learn about the community’s heritage but also to experience the fascinating rice-growing cycle, which will change the way you see your food forever.
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