“Tourism is evolving, and with it, the need for innovative, confident leaders who can drive sustainable and inclusive growth.”
Women in Tourism Indonesia, a foundation dedicated to empowering communities and women in the tourism sector, recently held a special edition of their #WTIDcamp; a capacity-building and development programme with an emphasis on gender equality.
The event, which was held in collaboration with the Sosromenduran Tourism Village, set out to improve the leadership capacity of young women involved in the tourism industry and management of tourist villages.
The previous two (online) iterations of WTIDcamp supported a total of 130 young workers in the tourism sector, focusing on destinations throughout Indonesia – from Java and Bali to East Nusa Tenggara, Sumatra and Papua.
To support Indonesia’s ongoing commitment to develop new tourism villages in remote areas, WTIDcamp 3 was held offline and focused on youth leadership and motivation at the grassroots level. The official theme of this year’s camp was ‘raising youth awareness about leadership and self-efficacy’.
In promoting this event, Women in Tourism Indonesia highlighted that three-quarters of young people in Indonesia feel they lack leadership opportunities, while 85% of young women working in the tourism sector express a desire for better leadership training. Obstacles identified include lack of confidence, limited access to mentors and a dearth of opportunities to lead.
In order to address and overcome these challenges, the third WTID Camp programme was designed to help participants develop their leadership skills and build their confidence. Course materials covered a range of practical skills development areas, including team motivation, decision making, self-management and problem-solving skills. According to Women in Tourism Indonesia, the goal of these activities was “to shape strong, visionary leaders who can bring about positive changes in their communities.”
WTIDcamp 3 was held offline last Saturday and Sunday, 25-25 May 2024 in Sosromenduran Tourism Village, in Yogyakarta, Central Java. This free programme was limited to 25 participants, who learned to develop a more change-orientated mindset and studied how to select team members and delegate tasks effectively to achieve group goals.
By the end of the weekend, participants were able to recognise their own strengths and weaknesses and understand ways to maximise their potential, while also understanding the importance of self-confidence and motivation to face various challenges as a group.
For Women in Tourism Indonesia, the camp represented another positive step in the right direction, on a journey led by women and youth. “Together, we can make a difference,” said the foundation in a statement via their Instagram account. “Let’s build a future where every young person believes in their potential to lead.”
