RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is positioning itself as a leading destination for youth travel and educational tourism by supporting the Edutrip Australia-Indonesia Incentive Trip, a program designed to immerse international students in cultural and educational experiences across the archipelago.

Acting Deputy for Event Development at the Ministry of Tourism, Vinsensius Jemadu, emphasized the strategic role of edutrip initiatives in shaping the future of sustainable and high-quality tourism.

“By engaging young travelers in immersive and educational experiences, we help nurture a generation that values cultural authenticity while building meaningful global connections,” Vinsensius said in a statement confirmed in Jakarta on Saturday, May 9, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The program, initiated by Impact Travel Group in April 2026, was divided into two waves.

The first group, comprising 33 students and teachers from Bellarine Secondary College, visited Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Bali from April 3–12. The second group, with 19 participants from Christian College Geelong, followed a similar route from April 10–16, ending in Lombok instead of Bali.

Blending education, culture, and tourism, the program offered international students firsthand exposure to Indonesia’s rich heritage and social life. Activities ranged from city tours in Jakarta and a ride on the Whoosh high-speed train to Bandung, to cultural interactions such as angklung performances.

Participants also explored UNESCO World Heritage sites like Borobudur and Prambanan temples, joined workshops on silver crafts in Kotagede, and learned batik-making traditions. The journeys concluded with leisure visits to Bali and Lombok.

To honor the participants, the Ministry of Tourism hosted welcoming dinners for each group. The first was held at Rama Shinta Restaurant near Prambanan, attended by Vinsensius Jemadu, while the second took place at Marina Batavia Restaurant in Ancol, Jakarta, attended by Assistant Deputy for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions, Yohanes De Brito Titus Haridjati.

Vinsensius further noted that the program reflects Indonesia’s Beyond Bali strategy, which promotes diverse destinations to the global market.

By integrating youth travel with MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions), Indonesia aims to strengthen its position as a premier destination while advancing cross-cultural diplomacy through tourism. (EY)