Published on: Thursday, 25 September 2025
Primakara University continues to strengthen its contribution to research and innovation in the field of digital tourism through the development of emerging technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) and the Metaverse. As part of this commitment, I Gede Wirya Mahendra Nandanawana Putra, S.Kom., M.Sn., carried out a comprehensive data collection activity across nine regencies in the Province of Bali from September to early October 2025.
This activity is part of a research project entitled “Analysis of Opportunities and Challenges in Utilizing Virtual Tours and the Metaverse to Support the Transformation of Bali’s Tourism Towards Smart Tourism.” The project has successfully obtained funding under the Beginner Lecturer Research Grant (Penelitian Dosen Pemula/PDP) scheme from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendiktiristek).
The research focuses on exploring the potential implementation of Virtual Tour and Metaverse technologies in transforming Bali’s tourism sector into a more adaptive, innovative, and sustainable Smart Tourism ecosystem. Through direct engagement with tourism offices across nine regencies, the researcher gathered important data related to current digital readiness, infrastructure, opportunities, and challenges faced in adopting immersive tourism technologies.
The data collection process involved in-depth discussions and coordination with local tourism stakeholders to understand regional perspectives on digital transformation in the tourism industry. This approach ensures that the research outcomes are grounded in real-world conditions and aligned with the needs of local tourism development.
The findings from this research are expected to contribute significantly to the development of strategic frameworks for Smart Tourism in Bali, particularly in leveraging VR and Metaverse technologies to enhance tourist experiences, promote destinations more effectively, and support sustainable tourism practices.
Through this initiative, Primakara University reaffirms its commitment to advancing research that bridges technology and real-world applications, while also supporting Bali’s position as a leading global destination in digital and smart tourism innovation.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, DRPM Primakara University held a socialization session on Proposal Submission and the 2026–2027 Internal Research and Community Service (PkM) Calendar, attended by 25 lecturers. The session covered guidelines, requirements, management stages, and proposal submission timelines. It also introduced updates to the IRIS system, now integrated through the DRPM portal to support a more effective research and community service submission and management process.
The DesaNiaga System Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted as part of the Beginner Lecturer Research (PDP) – BIMA Grant at Primakara University. Held on August 29, 2026, the research team tested DesaNiaga, an e-commerce-based marketing platform designed to support the marketing ecosystem of Village-Owned Enterprises (BUM Desa).
Primakara University has established a strategic research collaboration with PT Pegadaian through the signing of a research contract entitled "Analysis of Gen Z Potential in Bali for Digital Gold-Based Financial Inclusion." This partnership reflects the university's commitment to producing impactful research that supports financial literacy, financial inclusion, and industry innovation.