Students help spread word of Yogya's tourist sites

Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

The association of Yogyakarta tourism ambassadors is working with junior high school SMPN 5 to raise awareness of the city as a tourist attraction.

At least 175 students from SMPN 5 took part in the program Sunday at Yogyakarta Palace, one of the province's most popular tourist attractions.

"We are very concerned by the loss of appreciation and care among young people for the country's cultural richness, including its precious tourist attractions," the association's chairman, Hangga Fathana, said.

"This program is designed to help revitalize that care and appreciation, which, in turn, will create a sense of belonging and ownership strong enough to encourage them to actively participate in preserving Yogyakarta's heritage.

"They all have the same goal of helping to awaken an appreciation for their own culture and tourism," said Hangga, who is a student at Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University and the Indonesian Islamic University.

The principal of SMPN 5, Suparno, said the program was organized to support the municipal government's efforts to reestablish Yogyakarta as a city of tourism and education.

"Our school has also been chosen by the government as one of the tourism reference schools, so this program is very much in line with ours," Suparno said.

He said the program was also expected to give the students field experience for work they have done in English class.

During the program, the students, accompanying teachers and association members are required to speak English.

Dhea Hajaru Maredita, 13, one of the participating students on Sunday, said the program had opened her eyes and her mind. It was the first time she had entered Yogyakarta Palace.

"There are a lot of things to learn here and they are all interesting," she said.

"I will come back here to learn more about the palace and its history and to share the knowledge with others."