Bale Nara Lombok has established a strategic partnership with the Lombok Tourism Polytechnic through the Travel Business Study Program (UPW) in developing community-based ecotourism in the Aik Berik Tourism Village. This collaboration is part of the implementation of Project-Based Learning (PBL) in the Ecotourism course.
Involving UPW 4A class students, this project emphasizes the integration of theory and practice in the field. Students carry out various programs such as creating destination guidebooks, Indonesian version and English version, compiling conservation-based tour packages, community-based waste management, and digital promotion through social media and the official village website.
With intensive guidance from the lecturer, the entire process is carried out in a participatory manner with village partners. The final results of this activity were presented directly to the Central Lombok Tourism Office, the Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis), and the Head of Aik Berik Village, who responded very positively to the products and strategies developed.
This collaboration shows that the PBL approach is effective in forming students who are not only technically competent, but also have social responsibility towards sustainable tourism development. The success of this project also strengthens the institutional relationship between Poltekpar Lombok and Bale Nara Lombok as a local partner that plays a role in program facilitation and field assistance.
In the future, this collaboration is expected to continue as a model of synergy between vocational education and strengthening community-based tourism in West Nusa Tenggara.
Author: Dea Apriliani Sinta Dewi