Tour Quotation and Itinerary Development Training for Ecotourism Actors in Gunung Leuser National Park, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra
Writer: Claudina Sibarani, Programme Associate
Editor: Firra Kholisha Mustika, Communication
In an effort to revive tourism, tourist destinations are expected to be able to apply the principles of sustainable tourism. One of them is by increasing the capacity of human resources, in order to strengthen community resilience in supporting economic revival and the image of destinations. Therefore, DESMA Center held a "Tour Quotation and Itinerary Development Training" on June 27-28, 2022 in the Batu Katak Ecotourism Area, Batu Jongjong Village, Bahorok District, Langkat Regency. This activity is part of the Tourism Human Resources (HR) Capacity Strengthening program around area III of Gunung Leuser National Park. This training is aimed at community groups who are tourism business actors and the Batu Katak Tourism Institute (LBPK).
Tourist travel activities are generally compiled by a tour planner who works in a Travel Agency (BPW). However, it is undeniable that although the destination's resources are quite limited, there are some destinations that independently design trips by utilizing their resources and experiences. For example, in Batu Katak Ecotourism itself, trip planning is fully planned by local tour guides. Therefore, the DESMA Center strives to encourage and provide training to communities involved in trip planning. This training includes planning in compiling tour quotations and itinerary development.
On the first day, the training is divided into 2 sessions. The first session, related to the development of natural tourism products. The first session began with a pre-test of several general questions to find out the knowledge that participants had related to the training material. Furthermore, exposure to the development of natural tourism products. Natural tourism products have recently become one of the best choices that are in demand by many people. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the trend of traveling has been more focused on open space and the freedom to explore nature. Of course, Batu Katak Ecotourism has a great opportunity as one of the special interest natural attractions that must be visited. Then, participants get the opportunity to discuss through a question and answer session.
The second session, which is the planning of tourist trips. In the second session, the training began with the presentation of material related to the preparation of tourist trips. Tour planning and preparation must be prepared based on accurate information so that activities during the trip run smoothly and regularly. Trip planning requires an effective itinerary design and accurate tour quotation. To test participants' reasoning related to the travel design material, participants were given the opportunity to show their skills in compiling and designing a travel itinerary.
The second day was accompanied by the presentation of tour quotation material. Tour quotation is a procedure for calculating tour packages that contain cost specifications or price details in one tour package. When compiling a tour package, the tour planner must adjust the costs needed for the planned travel activities. Participants are trained to design a tourist trip by attaching an estimate of the required costs. Participants were very enthusiastic to show the results of their designs. The training on the second day was completed after a discussion and question and answer session.
Through this Tour Quotation and Itinerary Development Training, participants who are tourism business actors in Bat Katak Ecotourism, are expected to be able to know and apply effective travel design in order to compile and form tour packages that are attractive to tourists and prospective tourists of Batu Katak Ecotourism
Tour Quotation and Itinerary Development Training is the part of the ecotourism digitization project and strengthening the capacity of ecotourism actors in Gunung Leuser National Park, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra which is implemented by DESMA Center.
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The Ecotourism Digitalization program and Strengthening the Capacity of Ecotourism Actors consists of a series of training activities which include: (1) Guiding Tour Training (2) Itinerary Preparation and Tour Quotation Training (3) Service Excellence Training (4) Homestay Management Training (5) Culinary Training (6) Hygine &sanitation training (7) Financial Management Training (8) Social Media Management Training (9) Story Telling Training, Caption Writing, write Ecotourism Promotional Articles.
This project also facilitates (1) the implementation of CHSE certification in the tourist destination category, (2) business matching, (3) Fam trips (4) Stakeholders Networking, and (5) Development of a digital platform that will synergize tourism and creative economy businesses in the Gunung Leuser National Park Area in the Langkat Regency, North Sumatra.
The Ecotourism Digitalization program and Strengthening the Capacity of Ecotourism Actors is aimed at providing solutions to market access challenges, connecting attractions and improving quality tourist products in the TNGL region III area. This is in line with the government's objectives contained in the National Medium-Term Plan for 2020 – 2024, the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy 2020 – 2024 and the National Tourism Development Master Plan 2010 – 2025.
