The UGM Center for Tourism Studies (Puspar UGM) held a Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Regional Workshop on Sustainable and Inclusive Cultural Tourism from Aug. 19-22, 2024, at the UGM Campus.
The event, attended by 60 participants from ASEAN member countries and Timor Leste, was a collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta and received support from The Asia Foundation Indonesia.
Participants came from diverse communities and cultural backgrounds, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Laos, Singapore, and Thailand.
They gathered to discuss sustainability and inclusivity in cultural tourism.
Jason P. Rebholz, Public Diplomacy Counselor at the U.S. Mission to Indonesia, noted that Southeast Asia has significant potential for developing cultural tourism, making it an essential regional issue.
He expressed his pleasure that participants from various communities were discussing sustainable and inclusive cultural tourism.
“Southeast Asia is rich in culture, traditions, and culinary diversity, which presents opportunities for collaboration with the United States and the global community. This event allows participants to learn from each other, share expertise, and empower one another for the future of cultural tourism,” said Rebholz.
The workshop served as a platform for young leaders from Southeast Asian countries and Timor Leste to build networks, exchange ideas and insights, and collaboratively think about solutions to various challenges related to cultural heritage, tourism enterprises, and aspects of inclusivity and sustainability in Southeast Asia and Timor Leste.
During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to expand their networks through interactions with fellow participants and gain perspectives on the strong relationship between the United States and ASEAN countries, including Timor Leste.
Participants visited tourism destinations, particularly Borobudur, Kota Gede, and the Sonobudoyo Museum, to learn about managing sustainable and inclusive tourist sites.
They were also introduced to entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations, tourism village managers, and regional leaders to understand how to implement what they had learned.
By the end of the event, many participants reported gaining in-depth knowledge about cultural heritage and tourism, community economic revitalization, and Southeast Asia in general.
The skills they acquire are expected to expand their networks and enhance their careers in addressing various globalization challenges.
Participants also visited tourism sites in Yogyakarta to learn about topics such as conservation, economic development, and sustainability. They also studied various case studies discussed by experts in sustainable culture and business.
The Southeast Asia regional workshop emphasized learning, skill transfer, and network expansion in the sustainable and inclusive tourism sector, drawing from initiatives and efforts across ASEAN and the United States.
Ngoc Thien Nguyen, a participant from Vietnam, remarked that the YSEALI Program empowers and hones the abilities of talented individuals with the tools needed to make positive contributions to their communities.
Participants gained knowledge and understanding from experts and peers, and they had opportunities to apply their ideas and learn in their respective countries.
“I have only positive impressions of this event. It was interesting and unforgettable; it was one of the best moments of my life,” said Ngoc Thien Nguyen.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Lintang