3 days ago
Indonesia, China, tourism pact aims to nurture future industry leaders
The China Centre in Bali is expected to serve as a focal point for tourism training, cultural exchange, and international cooperation. - Caixin Global
JAKARTA: Indonesia and China have launched a new "China Centre' on the resort island of Bali to boost vocational tourism education and strengthen cultural cooperation, marking a significant step in developing future tourism professionals.
The centre, established in partnership with Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, was officially inaugurated on Sunday (June 1). It is housed within Politeknik Pariwisata Bali, a government-run vocational higher education institution specialising in tourism, hospitality, and culinary arts.
The polytechnic director Ida Bagus Putu Puja said the China Centre will serve as a focal point for tourism training, cultural exchange, and international cooperation, with a strong emphasis on vocational education.
"This collaboration will create a positive and mutually beneficial synergy, including student and faculty exchanges, joint training programmes, collaborative research, and cross-cultural promotion,' she stated in a statement.
The initiative follows a tourism cooperation agreement signed earlier this year by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Jakarta.
Officials from Jiangxi Province and representatives of Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University attended the launch, highlighting growing sub-national cooperation.
"Just like Jiangxi and Bali, both blessed with picturesque mountains, rivers, and seas. I hope that our peoples will visit each other often and become close friends,' said Minister of the Propaganda Department of the Jiangxi Provincial Committee, Lu Xiaoqing.
China remains a key tourism partner for Indonesia, with Chinese tourist arrivals reaching 1.19 million in 2024, up 52 per cent from the previous year, and 279,040 in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 1.15 per cent year-on-year growth. - Bernama
