Poltekpar Bali and STED Swisscontact Lead the World's First Green Skills in Tourism Project: A Blueprint for the Future of Sustainable Tourism
Bali, October 1, 2024 – Bali has once again made history as a global center for sustainability innovation with the Green Skills in Tourism Gap Assessment event, conducted through a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) involving STED Swisscontact Indonesia, Swisscontact Global Office, and Politeknik Pariwisata Bali. The event, held at UID Bali Campus in Serangan, is part of the world’s first pilot project specifically assessing the gap in green skills within the tourism and related industries.
This initiative is led by STED Swisscontact Indonesia and the Swisscontact Global Office in collaboration with the Research and Community Service Center at Politeknik Pariwisata Bali. The FGD was chaired by Ms. Putu Diah Sastri Pitanatri, Head of the Research and Community Service Center at Poltekpar Bali, along with Ms. Zahrah Ratna Sari, Senior Program Officer for Public Private Partnership at SS4C (Swisscontact Indonesia). This collaborative research aims to identify urgently needed green skills in tourism, with a particular focus on Bali and its surroundings. Through a group discussion approach, experts from various sectors explored the green skills essential for addressing global climate change challenges and transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
Niklaus Waldvogel, Advisor for Skills Development, Green Skills & Job Focal Point at Swisscontact, stated, “This initiative is a critical step in addressing the global demand for Green Skills in Tourism. By starting in Bali, we aim to set an example that can be replicated worldwide, demonstrating that sustainable practices can provide a competitive advantage for the tourism industry.” He emphasized that this initiative is significant for meeting the global need for green skills in tourism. By beginning in Bali, it is hoped to provide a replicable model, showcasing how sustainable practices can enhance the competitive edge of the tourism sector. Today's collaborative efforts will highlight the importance of aligning education, industry needs, and sustainability goals.
**Pilot Project: Local Flavor, Global Impact**
As the first pilot project of its kind in the world, the Green Skills in Tourism Gap Assessment is expected to serve as a blueprint for other tourist destinations globally to enhance their workforce's green skills. Bali, as the venue for this inaugural activity, is anticipated to be a prime example of how the tourism sector can adopt green skills as a competitive advantage. The project also aims to delve deeper into the gap between the green skills required by the industry and the availability of skilled labor.
The five main green skills in tourism focused on in this research include environmental management, resource efficiency, carbon management, the development of green products and services, and sustainability communication. The results reveal a significant gap between the levels of knowledge and implementation of green skills in tourism, with an average difference of 0.50 points. This indicates a need for enhanced training and infrastructure support to strengthen the implementation of green skills. Through comprehensive analysis, the findings of this research aim to accelerate the adoption of green skills as a competitive advantage in the tourism sector.
**Poltekpar Bali: A Driving Force for Sustainable Tourism**
As one of the main organizers, Politeknik Pariwisata Bali, particularly the Research and Community Service Center, plays a crucial role in this global project. Poltekpar Bali, recognized as a leading tourism education institution, is committed to integrating these research findings into its educational and training programs. By preparing graduates who are not only competent in the tourism field but also possess relevant green skills, Poltekpar Bali is directly contributing to the transition toward a more environmentally friendly tourism industry.
The Director of Politeknik Pariwisata Bali, represented by the Head of the Hospitality Department, Mr. I Made Rumadana, affirmed, “Through this global collaboration, we want to ensure that Bali is not just a major tourist destination but also a pioneer in developing green skills in tourism at an international level. We are committed to making sustainability the core of every aspect of the tourism industry.”
The FGD was attended by various stakeholders related to green tourism, including representatives from academia, business, community groups, hoteliers, media, and non-profit organizations. The presence of these diverse elements reflects a broad commitment to supporting development in Bali while showcasing cross-sector collaboration, which is key to the success of this project.
The results from this group discussion will serve as the foundation for developing more comprehensive policies and training programs in the field of green skills in tourism, marking the world's first pilot project of its kind. With full support from STED Swisscontact and Swisscontact Global Office, this project aims not only to enhance workforce skills but also to drive fundamental changes in how the tourism industry operates toward sustainability.
This initiative is led by STED Swisscontact Indonesia and the Swisscontact Global Office in collaboration with the Research and Community Service Center at Politeknik Pariwisata Bali. The FGD was chaired by Ms. Putu Diah Sastri Pitanatri, Head of the Research and Community Service Center at Poltekpar Bali, along with Ms. Zahrah Ratna Sari, Senior Program Officer for Public Private Partnership at SS4C (Swisscontact Indonesia). This collaborative research aims to identify urgently needed green skills in tourism, with a particular focus on Bali and its surroundings. Through a group discussion approach, experts from various sectors explored the green skills essential for addressing global climate change challenges and transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
Niklaus Waldvogel, Advisor for Skills Development, Green Skills & Job Focal Point at Swisscontact, stated, “This initiative is a critical step in addressing the global demand for Green Skills in Tourism. By starting in Bali, we aim to set an example that can be replicated worldwide, demonstrating that sustainable practices can provide a competitive advantage for the tourism industry.” He emphasized that this initiative is significant for meeting the global need for green skills in tourism. By beginning in Bali, it is hoped to provide a replicable model, showcasing how sustainable practices can enhance the competitive edge of the tourism sector. Today's collaborative efforts will highlight the importance of aligning education, industry needs, and sustainability goals.
**Pilot Project: Local Flavor, Global Impact**
As the first pilot project of its kind in the world, the Green Skills in Tourism Gap Assessment is expected to serve as a blueprint for other tourist destinations globally to enhance their workforce's green skills. Bali, as the venue for this inaugural activity, is anticipated to be a prime example of how the tourism sector can adopt green skills as a competitive advantage. The project also aims to delve deeper into the gap between the green skills required by the industry and the availability of skilled labor.
The five main green skills in tourism focused on in this research include environmental management, resource efficiency, carbon management, the development of green products and services, and sustainability communication. The results reveal a significant gap between the levels of knowledge and implementation of green skills in tourism, with an average difference of 0.50 points. This indicates a need for enhanced training and infrastructure support to strengthen the implementation of green skills. Through comprehensive analysis, the findings of this research aim to accelerate the adoption of green skills as a competitive advantage in the tourism sector.
**Poltekpar Bali: A Driving Force for Sustainable Tourism**
As one of the main organizers, Politeknik Pariwisata Bali, particularly the Research and Community Service Center, plays a crucial role in this global project. Poltekpar Bali, recognized as a leading tourism education institution, is committed to integrating these research findings into its educational and training programs. By preparing graduates who are not only competent in the tourism field but also possess relevant green skills, Poltekpar Bali is directly contributing to the transition toward a more environmentally friendly tourism industry.
The Director of Politeknik Pariwisata Bali, represented by the Head of the Hospitality Department, Mr. I Made Rumadana, affirmed, “Through this global collaboration, we want to ensure that Bali is not just a major tourist destination but also a pioneer in developing green skills in tourism at an international level. We are committed to making sustainability the core of every aspect of the tourism industry.”
The FGD was attended by various stakeholders related to green tourism, including representatives from academia, business, community groups, hoteliers, media, and non-profit organizations. The presence of these diverse elements reflects a broad commitment to supporting development in Bali while showcasing cross-sector collaboration, which is key to the success of this project.
The results from this group discussion will serve as the foundation for developing more comprehensive policies and training programs in the field of green skills in tourism, marking the world's first pilot project of its kind. With full support from STED Swisscontact and Swisscontact Global Office, this project aims not only to enhance workforce skills but also to drive fundamental changes in how the tourism industry operates toward sustainability.
