Minister Urges Swiss Goverment to Build Tourism School

Jakarta, (Antara) - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli has urged Switzerland to build a tourism school.

"We have requested Switzerland to build a tourism school in Mandalika, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. We need experts and lecturers from Switzerland to help train professionals in the tourism sector," Ramli stated during a meeting here on Wednesday (March 30).

The minister noted that the government had continued to make efforts to achieve the target of 20 million tourist arrivals by 2019.

However, the minister affirmed that the effort required skilled human resources in the hospitality and tourism sector.

"Earlier, Switzerland had helped to build two tourism schools in Bandung, West Java. The students worked in the tourism sector in Indonesia, the Middle East, Europe, and other countries," the minister remarked.

The minister said that the government had planned to build a tourism school in Mandalika, West Nusa Tenggara.

"The tourism school will be built on a 20 thousand-hectare plot of land, and it is expected to be the best," the minister emphasized.

Following this request, Switzerland is keen to provide training in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Swiss Vice President Doris Leuthart will explore the plan to build a tourism and hospitality school.

"Indonesia has huge tourism potential. Several Swiss citizens have also visited the country," Leuthart remarked.

In addition, Leuthart said that a direct flight from Switzerland to Indonesia could increase the number of Swiss tourist arrivals to the country.

Earlier, Indonesia and Switzerland had agreed to renew their air service agreement, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated.

The minister, who accompanied President Joko Widodo in a meeting with the Swiss vice president at the Merdeka Palace, said Leuthard would ink a cooperation agreement with the transportation minister.

"In the field of economy, a cooperation agreement would be signed with the minister of transportation," she pointed out.(*)