"Hence, we introduce the subject of tourism and culture in elementary, junior high, and high school," the ministry's Assistant Deputy for Literacy, Innovation, and Creativity, Molly Prabawati, stated at the forum held to discuss development of super-priority tourism destinations here on Wednesday.
Prabawati remarked that the proposal is based on the case submitted by the Lake Toba Authority Implementing Agency (BPODT) which said that the tourism major was rather unpopular among parents when sending their children to school.
Meanwhile, Lake Toba is one of the five super-priority tourism destinations developed by the government.
Prabawati said, tourism development in regions must involve local communities, so that it can run sustainably.
"How to change the community's awareness of tourism. One of the ways is to include it in education," she remarked.
To promote the proposal, she said, the ministry will coordinate with local governments, so that the school subject on tourism can be included in teaching materials.
"We will coordinate with local governments and discuss whether the subject can be included in children's education from an early age," she stated.
According to Prabawati, if there are regions that can incorporate tourism into learning subjects, then other schools in tourism development zones will also follow suit.
"(This is) so that many good things in one destination can be emulated in another," she remarked.
The five super-priority tourism destinations designated by the government are Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Likupang in North Sulawesi, Borobudur in Central Java, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, and Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara.
So far, the government has made efforts to bolster tourism promotion, improve the quality of human resources, and strengthen the governance of these priority tourism destinations.
Related news: Ministry holds study of super-priority tourism destination development
Related news: Riau Islands seeks VoA policy removal to boost tourism
Related news: Sustainable tourism development key to villages' progress: Ministry
Translator: Asep F, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
