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In an effort to enhance the quality of vocational tourism education, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism has strengthened its collaboration with the Swiss Government. The partnership, which has been operational since 2018, is facilitated by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and Swisscontact. The partnership focus on vocational education and training, aiming to improve the skills and expertise within Indonesia’s tourism sector.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry, the collaboration was further solidified through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 22, 2024. Martini Paham, the Ministry’s Deputy for Resources and Institutions, highlighted the success of the initiative to date. She cited the effective implementation of joint activity agendas and partnership agreements at various tourism polytechnics in Bali, Makassar, and Lombok throughout 2024.

The cooperation with the Swiss Government includes an industry-based curriculum, capacity building for lecturers, improved teaching methodologies, support for facility management, industry collaboration, and policy dialogue. As per Paham, these elements have played a crucial role in advancing the quality of education and training provided.

The partnership is set to continue in 2025, with a renewed focus on increasing understanding of sustainability values and gender equality. These factors are increasingly seen as crucial in the modern tourism industry and will serve to further enhance the quality of Indonesia’s vocational tourism education. Meanwhile, the Ministry’s assistant deputy for capacity building of human resources and vocational education, Andar Danova L. Goeltom, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in capacity building and developing human resources for the tourism industry.

The collaboration between Indonesia and Switzerland reflects a broader trend of international cooperation in the field of vocational education and training. Such partnerships not only facilitate knowledge exchange but also contribute to the development of more robust and resilient industries.