The Importance of Participatory Communication in Development Planning Deliberations for Agritourism Village Enhancement

Abstract

Previous research has focused on the implementation of Development Planning Deliberation (DPD) as a tool to improve development communication among stakeholders, but few have explored this issue in the context of democratization in rural economies. Success in DPD is often determined by the capacity and competence of human resources in the government sector, public service, administration, and socioeconomic empowerment. This study examines the use of Development Planning Deliberation as a participatory communication tool in four agritourism villages of Central Java Province, Indonesia. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including a questionnaire survey and a qualitative case study. The research findings show that Development Planning Deliberation fosters democratic decision-making, allowing stakeholders to express their aspirations and make decisions based on community needs and issues. Development Planning Deliberation creates a non-discriminatory culture and promotes decision-making based on mutual agreement. This study provides valuable insights into communication studies, highlighting the strategic characteristics required in the development planning process, particularly in the context of democratisation in rural economies.