The “Summer Course 2023: Understanding Indonesia’s Face Through Tourism Destination Rebranding” was held in August 2023 for 7 days, from the 7th to the 13th of August, online and organized by the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program within the Faculty of Humanities, Diponegoro University. The program delved into the potential and processes of rebranding tourism destinations in Indonesia, including aspects such as culinary experiences, creative industries, and tourism regulations. The event aimed to comprehensively address these issues from the different perspectives of academics and practitioners, involving international students to provide a more comprehensive insight into Indonesian tourism. Furthermore, the program included teaching Indonesian language skills tailored specifically for foreign students in the context of tourism.
The Summer Course was officially opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Dr. Dra. Nurhayati, M.Hum., with a total of 145 participants, including foreign students from various countries: Japan, Pakistan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Egypt, the Netherlands, Somalia, Germany, and Sudan. The event then continued with an introduction to Undip and the city of Semarang by Girindra Putri Ardana Reswari, S.Pd., M.Sc., as the host representative. The discussion encompassed diverse dimensions, including Undip’s educational achievements, cultural diversity, religious landmarks, immersive experiences, lively events, and the delightful cuisine found in Semarang. This session concluded with an insightful Q&A interaction between participants and speakers.
On the second day, the program continued with the efforts to rebrand tourism in Makassar, led by Muhammad Roem, S., STP., M.Si., the head of Semarang’s Tourism Department. The presentation highlighted Makassar as a premier tourism destination promoted by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. The city’s vision to transform into a “Smart City” centered around well-being and a “Sombere” focusing on health was explored, alongside various tourist attractions. Strategies for enhancing the city’s image through collaboration with the community, facilitating the industry, and protecting entrepreneurs’ rights were emphasized. In the second session, Andy Bangkit Setiawan, Ph.D from Dian Nuswantoro University explained the role of the Indonesian language in tourism communication, covering pronunciation and introducing some basic Indonesian vocabulary.
On the third day, Dr. Indah S. Pratidina from the University of Indonesia presented a discussion on place Branding of Jakarta in Social Media, highlighting cultural values in destination rebranding and the role of social media, particularly the impact of Instagram. In the subsequent session, Andy Bangkit Setiawan, Ph.D conducted a lesson on travel navigation and directions.
The following day featured a presentation by Dr. Rima Devi from Andalas University, discussing about tourism rebranding in West Sumatra. The focus was on the unique features of West Sumatra as a tourism destination over the past three decades, highlighting its natural attractions and how technological advancements have shaped diverse tourism experiences. The next session was led by Andy Bangkit Setiawan, Ph.D who discussed “Exploring Local Culture” through food-related language skills, teaching participants how to inquire about food, order dishes, and discuss flavors.
Day 5 showcased a presentation by Shandro Bobby Raymon, A.Md.Im., S.H., from the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office in Bali about The Role of Immigration in Enhancing Tourism.” The speaker discussed the role of immigration officers at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport and their contribution to national security and the post-pandemic economy. Policy changes related to visa regulations were also explored. In the second session, Andy Bangkit Setiawan, Ph.D focused on language learning, teaching “Shopping and Bargaining” skills.
On the sixth day, Dr. Ketut Purwantoro from the Dejavato Institute delivered a presentation on “The Role of Volunteers in Stimulating Tourism Development in Central Java.” The discussion covered reasons for tourism, the main destinations in Central Java, the challenges faced, and the activities of volunteers. The Q&A session successfully explored the efforts of local government and volunteer accessibility. Moving on to the second session, Andy Bangkit Setiawan, Ph.D once again taught the series “Indonesian for Tourism,” which discussed emergency situations and safety while traveling, emphasizing caution in food and water consumption, as well as discussions about health conditions.
On the final day, Prof. Yamada Naoko from Chikushi Jogakuen University, Japan presented her experience traveling to Indonesia with the title “Discovering Oneself Through Exploring Indonesia.” Prof. Yamada highlighted unity in diversity, tolerance, etiquette, and interactions with local residents and tourists. Her presentation was warmly received with enthusiasm from both participants and other speakers in exchanging experiencesThe event concluded with a testimonial session from the participants and the certificates were symbolically presented by Dr. Alamsyah, S.S., M.Hum. as the Vice Dean of Academic and Student Affairs.
