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THE CHAIRMAN General of the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI), Hariyadi Sukamdani, said that the policy of banning study tours implemented by several regional governments had the potential to harm the tourism industry.
“If what is wrong is seen as the land transport operator being punished, not the study tour program being questioned. Recently, several regional governments, including Jakarta, West Java and Banten, have issued policies banning the implementation of study tours for students,” Hariyadi said at a press conference in Jakarta on Saturday (03/22) 2025.
He explained that this step was taken after considering several factors, including safety issues and the effectiveness of the learning process, following the increasing number of accidents involving study tour groups. However, I think this policy is not quite right. If the issue of concern is safety, then what should be fixed is the transportation aspect, not by banning study tour activities.
According to him, the policy regarding study tours should be adapted to the school’s program and the students’ abilities. He argued that if schools want to conduct field trips outside the region or even abroad, there should be no prohibition.
Hariyadi also asked the regional directors who issued the policy to reconsider and revoke the ban because, according to him, the policy does not solve the core of the problem.
Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Central Leadership Council of the Land Transportation Organization (DPP Organda), Ateng Aryono revealed that the tourism sector always prioritizes comfort, and safety issues in transportation need to be resolved with a more in-depth approach.
Although safety has become an integral part of every aspect of transportation operations, both on land and at sea, some irresponsible transportation companies often ignore safety standards in order to lower prices and make greater profits.
“Their competitive weapon is usually pricing, and they usually do that pricing by trying to get prices as low as possible, and that ends up neglecting some aspects of safety. However, many of them really have permits and are doing all the permits (related to roadworthy transportation) properly,” he added.
Ateng reminded the importance of the licensing authorities to strictly monitor and inspect tourist transport operators. Safety must be a top priority and part of the corporate culture. He hoped that all parties involved can rethink and improve the system to minimize accidents and also keep the tourism industry growing. [antaranews]
