Mataram, NTB (ANTARA) – Indonesian Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said growing foreign and domestic tourist arrivals on Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province, offer strong employment prospects, particularly for graduates of the Lombok Tourism Polytechnic (Poltekpar Lombok).
“NTB holds vast tourism potential, ranging from its natural beauty and rich culture to the Mandalika Special Economic Zone and Muslim-friendly tourism,” Widiyanti said following the polytechnic’s graduation ceremony in Central Lombok District, NTB, on Saturday.
“I hope graduates can take part in developing this potential through quality service, innovation, and professionalism,” she added.
Widiyanti reported that foreign tourist arrivals in Lombok — including the Gili islands of Trawangan, Meno, and Air — reached 452,367 in the first half of 2026, marking a 9.3 percent increase year-on-year.
Meanwhile, domestic tourist trips to the region surged 66.3 percent year-on-year to 10.88 million during the same period.
According to the minister, this growth in tourism activity must be matched by a well-prepared local workforce so that communities in tourist destinations can directly reap the economic benefits.
She expressed hope that tourism workers from NTB would not only seek employment outside the province, but also build careers, develop businesses, and create jobs in their home region.
These local prospects align with national tourism growth. Between January and September 2026, foreign tourist arrivals across Indonesia reached 12.01 million, up 5.01 percent year-on-year, while domestic tourist trips rose 4.10 percent to 938.84 million.
To meet the demands of an increasingly competitive industry, Widiyanti stressed the importance of foreign language proficiency, digital skills, and industry-recognized certifications.
Among the 316 Poltekpar Lombok graduates honored at the ceremony, 88 completed the Travel Business program, 76 Room Division, 86 Culinary Arts, and 66 Food and Beverage Service.
Widiyanti also encouraged the graduates to contribute to the development of Muslim-friendly tourism, noting that Indonesia ranks second globally in the 2026 Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), while NTB ranks third among 15 provinces in the 2026 Indonesia Muslim Travel Index (IMTI).
Beyond professional competence, she underscored the importance of social and environmental responsibility in building a sustainable tourism industry.
She cited the Poltekpar Lombok academic community’s support for residents of the traditional village of Sade following a fire in August 2026, including setting up communal kitchens, registering affected residents, and assisting with recovery efforts.
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Translator: Dhimas Pratama, Uyu Liman
Editor: Primayanti
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