Several tourism experts and practitioners gathered to share their ideas and perspectives on advancing tourism in ways that benefit both the environment and local communities during the 13th Gadjah Mada International Conference on Economics and Business (GAMAICEB), held on Thursday (Jul. 24) at The Alana Yogyakarta Hotel & Convention Center. Although their papers covered various topics, all presenters shared a unified vision: developing sustainable tourism.
Ni Putu Dhanan Kumaradewi M and I Gusti Ayu Agung Istri Dinda Larasshanti Jelantik, two students from Universitas Pendidikan Nasional (UNDIKNAS), delivered an engaging presentation based on their paper titled “Understanding Why Gen Z Prefers TikTok Over Google for Travel Searches.”
Their research focused on Gen Z women, who tend to favor visual content and interactive platforms, thereby shaping Indonesia’s digital tourism landscape. They argued that these shifting preferences are not only redefining how people seek travel information but also influencing broader marketing strategies in the tourism industry.
Dinda Jelantik emphasized the practical implications of their findings for tourism professionals. She proposed several actionable strategies, such as leveraging short-form, emotionally engaging, and authentic content, particularly those that are personal and honest, to appeal to Gen Z.
Furthermore, she underscored the importance of using interactive features on platforms like TikTok to enhance engagement. Building trust and credibility, she noted, can be achieved by collaborating with experienced and trustworthy influencers who align with the target audience’s values.
Dr. Arika Artiningsih, the conference chair, remarked that many of the participants brought up current and relevant issues in tourism, economics, and business.
“I think the participants have dived deep into their research topics, and the discussions during the sessions have provided valuable feedback,” she said.
“These interactions are essential not just for improving the structure and writing quality of the papers, but also for sharpening the ideas and strengthening the research methodology and relevance.”
Dr. Artiningsih expressed hope that future editions of GAMAICEB, especially in 2026, will continue to serve as a valuable forum for both academics and professionals to exchange knowledge, ideas, and the latest updates related to the fields of economics, business, and tourism.
She believes this ongoing dialogue is crucial to address emerging challenges and opportunities in an increasingly dynamic and interconnected world.
Author: Alena
Post-editor: Kezia Dwina Nathania
Editor: Gusti Grehenson