Supporting Tourism in Labuan Bajo, Ministry of Transmigration Aims to Build Vocational Schools
The Ministry of Transmigration (Kementrans) is working to attract investors to build tourism vocational schools within the West Manggarai Transmigration Area, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), to support the development of tourism in Labuan Bajo.
The Minister of Transmigration, M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara, stated that the ministry is currently offering cooperation opportunities to several investors to develop vocational education centres in various transmigration areas. “I will also be visiting the area in West Manggarai that we are currently offering to investors, potentially to build a tourism vocational school so that hospitality standards can be further improved,” said M. Iftuitah Sulaiman Suryanagara in an official statement.
He emphasised that education is the key to ensuring local communities can reap the benefits of the development and investment entering their regions. He hopes that increased investment in education and vocational training will drive the strengthening of human resource quality in transmigration areas.
Furthermore, Iftitah is encouraging the establishment of Mandarin language learning centres, which could provide added value for local residents, given the increasing number of Chinese tourists visiting Labuan Bajo. “Labuan Bajo has now become a global tourism destination. We must ensure the local community is not left behind. Therefore, education is our best key,” he noted.
In addition to seeking new educational facilities, Kementrans also supports the renovation and provision of infrastructure for existing schools, such as the SD Inpres Desa Macang Tanggar in Komodo District, West Manggarai. Iftitah noted that basic infrastructure is a vital component of improving educational quality in transmigration zones. He also invited the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Wang Lutong, to inspect the construction of toilet facilities at the primary school.
Regarding the plan for Mandarin learning centres, Ambassador Wang Lutong expressed optimism, noting that the demand for Mandarin language skills is expected to rise alongside increasing investment and Chinese tourist arrivals in Labuan Bajo. “I believe that in the future, there will certainly be more investors coming here. Moreover, many tourists from China are currently visiting Labuan Bajo. Therefore, learning Mandarin is very important for everyone here,” he added.