As part of the community service function of higher education (the Tridharma), the Tourism Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held a Community Service (PkM) program in Gleyoran, Sambeng Village, Borobudur District, Magelang Regency. This activity took place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, in Gleyoran. A total of six lecturers from the FIB UGM Tourism Study Program alongside several students from the Tourism Student Association (HIMAPA) carried out observations and interviews as part of the program.
Gleyoran is a small rural settlement situated along the banks of the Progo River, which flows through Borobudur District, Magelang Regency. The Gleyoran hamlet is located close to the Borobudur Temple tourism area, a supreme tourist destination and the tourism hub of Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Gleyoran is a rural area with a long-standing river fishing tradition passed down through generations, notably the traditional gethek (bamboo raft) transportation and native fish species. Furthermore, Gleyoran Hamlet is blessed with scenic natural landscapes along the riverbank, which are best enjoyed at sunset.
During this community service program, the FIB UGM team focused on data collection, assessment, and planning to enhance the quality of tourist attractions in Gleyoran. The activities centered on interviewing key tourism stakeholders and observing the local potential as well as supporting tourism facilities.
The primary tourism activities offered in Gleyoran Hamlet focus on two main attractions: Gethek Balong and the Nelayan Tanpa Perahu Museum. Gethek Balong is a tour package offering a ride on a bamboo raft paddled across and along the Progo River. This attraction is managed independently by a small community of local residents, covering everything from tour package design and reservations to service delivery. To support this initiative, the FIB UGM Tourism Study Program provides assistance to optimize the tourism services run by the villagers, aiming to foster sustainable tourism that enhances community welfare. The team is also exploring potential new attractions, particularly culinary tourism, to complement the Gethek Balong experience.
In addition to the river rafting tour, the residents of Gleyoran Hamlet have established a museum showcasing artifacts and insights into the lives of Progo River fishermen. Named the Nelayan Tanpa Perahu Museum, it is housed in one of the local residents’ homes. The museum displays various traditional river fishing tools used daily by the villagers, the majority of which are crafted from bamboo. It also features specially woven casting nets designed for fishing in fast-flowing river currents. The museum manager, Mr. Tio, explained that the initiative originated from the Gleyoran residents themselves, who were driven by a desire to preserve traditional knowledge surrounding river fishing. Alongside the collection of fishing gear, the museum features aquariums filled with native fish from the Progo River, including beong, wader, river catfish, and nila. According to the manager, keeping these river fish in an aquarium presents unique challenges, as the natural river ecosystem differs significantly from a clear-water aquarium environment.
The Community Service activity carried out by the FIB UGM Tourism Study Program team on July 18, 2026, aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It primarily supports SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, specifically in fostering community-based sustainable tourism, as well as SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, through efforts to preserve the cultural heritage and local wisdom of the Progo River fishermen.
