The development of tourist villages is a strategic program for improving the welfare of rural communities that have socio-economic, cultural, and natural environmental potentials that become local wisdom. The research used case studies to identify problems and develop community potential based on a deep and distinctive understanding. The research locations were in two tourist sites, namely the Herbal Health Tourism in Kalibakung, Balapulang District, Tegal Regency, and Karangbenda tourist village has Sodong beach, in Cilacap Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia. The research informant through purposive sampling, namely tour group managers, business groups such as traders and farmers, village governments, and empowerment practitioners. Data were collected by in-depth interviews, discussions, documentation and direct observation. The research used interactive data analysis model. The result showed that the tourism village development empowerment program needs participatory collaboration from various parties such as governments, tourism managers, economic business groups, and the community around tourism. The tourism development model through community empowerment is needed namely counseling, training, and assistance on tourism institutional management, financial management system as well as digital administration, tourism service management, The quality and quantity of the business group's products should be improved and product marketing promotion strategies. Tourist sites could be used as academic institution-fostered villages for student activities such as community service programs, internship programs, practicum, and practical work, as well as research and community service for lecturers.