The Summer Course 2023, themed “Understanding Indonesia’s Face Through Tourism Destination Rebranding,” was held in August 2023 for 7 days, from August 7th to 13th, conducted online by the Japanese Language and Culture Studies Program, Faculty of Humanities, Undip.
This program explored the potential and process of rebranding tourism destinations on several Indonesian islands, including culinary, creative industries and tourism regulations. The event aimed to comprehensively discuss these topics from various perspectives involving both academics and practitioners. Naturally, the program also engaged international students to provide a more comprehensive insight into Indonesian tourism. Additionally, the program included teaching Indonesian language skills explicitly tailored for international students in the context of tourism.
The Summer Course 2023 was inaugurated by the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities Undip, Dr. Dra. Nurhayati, M.Hum., with a total of 145 participants, including international students from various countries such as Japan, Pakistan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Egypt, the Netherlands, Somalia, Germany, and Sudan. The event began with an introduction to Undip and the city of Semarang by Girindra Putri Ardana Reswari, S.Pd., M.Sc., as the host representative. Discussions encompassed various dimensions, including Undip’s education and achievements, cultural diversity, religious aspects, immersive experiences, and delicious dishes in Semarang. This session concluded with an enthusiastic Q&A interaction between participants and speakers.
On the second day, the program continued with efforts to rebrand tourism in Makassar, presented by Muhammad Roem, S., STP., M.Si., the Head of the Semarang Tourism Office. The presentation highlighted Makassar as a primary tourism destination promoted by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. The city’s vision to transform into a “Smart City” centered on well-being and “Sombere” focused on health was explored alongside various tourist attractions. The presentation also discussed strategies to enhance the city’s image through collaboration with the community, facilitating industries, and protecting entrepreneurs’ rights. 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 led a discussion on Jakarta’s Image Renewal on Social Media, highlighting cultural values in destination rebranding and the role of social media, particularly the impact of Instagram. In the following session, Andy Bangkit Setiawan, Ph.D., conducted a lesson on asking for locations and directions during travels.
The next day, they featured a presentation by Dr. Rima Devi from Andalas University discussing tourism image renewal in West Sumatra. The focus was on West Sumatra’s unique features as a tourism destination over the past three decades, highlighting its natural tourist attractions and how technological advancements have shaped diverse tourism experiences. The subsequent session, led by Andy Bangkit Setiawan, Ph.D., explored local culture through language skills related to food. It taught participants how to inquire about food, order dishes, and discuss tastes.
On day 5, Shandro Bobby Raymon, A.Md.Im., S.H., from the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office in Bali, spoke about the role of Immigration in enhancing Tourism. The speaker discussed the role of immigration officers at Ngurah Rai Airport Bali and their contributions to national security and the post-pandemic economy. The participants also explored policy changes regarding visa regulations. In the second session, Andy Bangkit Setiawan, Ph.D., focused on language learning, teaching shopping skills, and bargaining.
On the sixth day, Dr. Ketut Purwantoro from the Dejavato Institute presented the role of volunteers in stimulating tourism development in Central Java. The discussion covered their reasons for involvement in tourism, major destinations in Central Java, challenges faced, and volunteer activities. The Q&A session successfully explored local government efforts and volunteer accessibility. Switching to the second session, Andy Bangkit Setiawan, Ph.D., once again taught the “Indonesian Language for Tourism” series, discussing emergencies and safety during travels, emphasizing caution in food and water consumption, as well as discussions about health conditions.
On the last day, Prof. Yamada Naoko from Chikushi Jogakuen University, Japan, presented her experience in traveling to Indonesia with the title “Discovering Oneself Through Exploring Indonesia.” Prof. Yamada highlighted unity in diversity, tolerance, etiquette, and interaction with residents and tourists. Participants and other speakers in the experience-sharing session warmly received her presentation. The event concluded with a testimonial session from participants and a symbolic certificate distribution by Dr. Alamsyah, S.S., M.Hum., as the Deputy Dean for Academic and Student Affairs.
