Students to learn by becoming 'tourists'

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Students in the School of Tourism at the University of Indonesia (UI) will visit this month tourism destinations in cities in Java and Bali as part of its study tour program, Java-Bali Overland Tour 2008.

During the study tour, which is scheduled to be a 10-day tour, the students will learn several key aspects of the tourism, industry including how to manage tourism sites and how to guide visitors.

"We will learn many aspects of the tourism industry from this program. It is expected that students will get a better understanding of this industry (through the tour)," Dewi, chairperson of the organizing committee, told The Jakarta Post.

The students will visit Yogyakarta, Surakarta and Semarang in Central Java, Probolinggo and Malang in East Java, and Denpasar and Kuta in Bali.

They will also experience staying at different hotels, from average accommodation to high-end facilities.

"The students must study the roads and know the hotels that are available in those cities. The students should be informed about tourist destinations and accommodations," Dewi added.

Dani, a tourism student at UI, said she could not wait to start the study tour.

"I will enjoy that program," Dani said, adding that she had participated in another study tour last year.

During the Java-Bali Overland study tour, the students will be divided into groups, with each group having different assignments from their lecturers.

In Yogyakarta, the students will visit a batik workshop, as well as the famous tourist spots Jl. Malioboro and Ratu Boko Temple. The students will also visit Pasar Klewer, a traditional market in Surakarta known for its garment and textile trade.

From Surakarta, the students will head to Trowulan Museum and Tikus Temple in East Java. The following day, they will visit the iconic Mount Bromo.

In Bali, the tour will take students to several popular tourist destinations, including Bedugul, Tanah Lot and Sukowati market.

The students will also visit Tanjung Benoa and Nusa Dua beach, where they are to take part in fun learning activities.

They will have to study tourist facilities whenever the student groups stop at sites such as temples, palaces or beaches.

"Basically, we will learn from our recreational visits to tourist sites," Dewi said.