24/11/2009 Uncategorized
Education is very important to support Indonesia tourism and hospitality industry because this industry will continue to grow.
Noviendi Makalam (forth from right), Carla Parengkuan (third from right), and Pelita Harapan Tourism Schools lecturers.
Education is very important to support Indonesia tourism and hospitality industry because this industry will continue to grow. “Investors have started to glance Indonesia to invest in tourism,” said Carla Parengkuan, Executive Director of the Association of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants (IHRA) when interviewed on the break time of the seminar titled “Overcoming the Challenges and the Threads Towards the Hospitality Industry” held by Pelita Harapan Tourism School (STPPH), Monday (23/11) in UPH campus building D502, Lippo Village.
Noviendi Makalam, Marketing Director General Secretary of the Ministry of Indonesia Culture and Tourism, who is also a speaker in the seminar added, “Actually, tourism education in Indonesia are included modern and advanced, we are number ten in Asia. Why do we are among the best? Because between theory and practice are link and match, not many gaps.”
Disasters, terrorism and other threats beyond our control are normal. Now the problem is how to overcome this? “Of course it can be started from the world of education itself. Quality of education institutions should be improved. Starting from the quality of the curriculum or syllabi, adding practical sessions for students, and most importantly the professional attitude development,” said Novi.
Novi sees STPPH students did not have a problem for the development of tourism and hospitality industries. “Their knowledge is good, has qualified skills, and the attitude is good also. Attitude is the capital basis for tourism school alumni to be able to work. It?s useless if you have good knowledge and skills but the attitude is zero. You are nothing then,” he added.
Tourism and hospitality industry in Indonesia has a good future. “Opportunities are still many in Indonesia. We have a vast land with 17 thousand islands. Currently only the western parts of Indonesia are cultivated by investors, the east is still lacking, and it is the task of professionals in the tourism industry in the future,” said Carla.
A good opportunity was also viewed from the side of Indonesian domestic tourists. “Data show there are approximately 225 million people of Indonesia who travel around Indonesia. Like from Bandung to Palembang, from Jakarta to Bali, and so on. They need to stay in the hotel and the restaurant for dinner. That must be,” said Novi.
Carla calling for STPPH students to more study and explore the potential of tourism in the country of Indonesia. How are the culture and what the tourists want, both foreign and domestic. “Never be afraid of threats. We must be ready to compete. You do not have to be the best, but at least among the best!? she closed. (cyn)
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