Sumba Hospitality Foundation: Pioneering Tourism Education In Indonesia

The Sumba Hospitality Foundation is an Indonesian non-profit organization that provides vocational training in the hospitality industry to underprivileged young adults from the island of Sumba. The foundation aims to empower local communities and promote responsible tourism in the region, which is one of the poorest in Indonesia.

Sumba is a small island located in the eastern part of Indonesia, and despite its natural beauty and cultural richness, it is facing several challenges such as poverty, lack of infrastructure, and environmental degradation. The Sumba Hospitality Foundation was established in 2015 to address some of these issues by offering education and work experience opportunities to young Sumbanese adults who come from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The foundation’s comprehensive program includes vocational training in hospitality, full board housing, healthcare, internships, and personal development courses. The program is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the hospitality industry and promote sustainable tourism practices. The Sumba Hospitality Foundation is pioneering tourism education in Indonesia and setting an example of how responsible tourism can benefit local communities and preserve the environment.

Foundation Overview

The Sumba Hospitality Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established in 2016 by Inge De Lathauwer on the island of Sumba in Indonesia. The foundation’s mission is to end the cycle of poverty by providing young adults with education, training, and work experience in the hospitality industry. The foundation aims to empower local communities and promote sustainable tourism in Sumba.

Mission and Vision

The Sumba Hospitality Foundation’s mission is to provide underprivileged young adults with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the hospitality industry. The foundation believes that education, training, and work experience are the keys to breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a better future for the youth of Sumba. The foundation’s vision is to empower local communities and promote sustainable tourism in Sumba.

Location and Facilities

The Sumba Hospitality Foundation is located in the village of Desa Karuni, on the island of Sumba. The foundation’s campus is situated on 1.5 hectares of land and includes a dormitory, classrooms, a kitchen, a restaurant, and a farm. The campus is designed to be environmentally sustainable and uses solar power and rainwater harvesting to reduce its environmental impact.

Educational Programs

The Sumba Hospitality Foundation (SHF) offers a comprehensive educational program for underprivileged youth aged between 17 and 23 from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds in Sumba, Indonesia. The program focuses on providing vocational training in the hospitality industry to empower local youth through education.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum structure of the program is designed to provide students with a well-rounded education in the hospitality industry. The program offers a two-year course that includes theoretical and practical training in various aspects of the hospitality industry. The curriculum includes subjects such as English language, computer skills, communication, and hospitality management.

Practical Training

In addition to theoretical training, the program also provides practical training to students. Students receive hands-on training in various aspects of the hospitality industry, including housekeeping, food and beverage service, front office operations, and culinary arts. The practical training is provided in a real-world environment, and students are given the opportunity to work in the SHF’s training restaurant and eco-resort, where they can apply their skills in a practical setting.

Cultural Integration

The program also focuses on cultural integration, as it aims to promote and preserve the ancestral culture of Sumba. Students are encouraged to respect and promote local crafts in the eco-resort and serve local dishes in the training restaurant. The SHF believes that cultural integration is an essential part of sustainable tourism, and it contributes to the long-term development of the tourism industry in Sumba.

Overall, the educational programs offered by the Sumba Hospitality Foundation are designed to empower underprivileged youth through education and provide them with the necessary skills to succeed in the hospitality industry. The program’s curriculum structure, practical training, and cultural integration initiatives ensure that students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for a successful career in the hospitality industry.

Sustainable Practices

Eco-Friendly Operations

Sumba Hospitality Foundation (SHF) is committed to promoting sustainable tourism practices. The foundation operates a hotel school that teaches students about the hospitality industry, sustainable tourism, environmental awareness, and permaculture farming. The school’s curriculum emphasizes eco-friendly operations and promotes the use of renewable energy sources. The campus is powered by solar panels, and the foundation has implemented a waste management system that includes composting and recycling.

In addition, the foundation has established an organic garden that provides fresh produce for the school’s kitchen. The garden is maintained using permaculture techniques, which promote sustainable agriculture and minimize the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals.

Community Engagement

SHF is actively engaged with the local community and works to promote sustainable tourism practices. The foundation collaborates with local businesses and organizations to promote responsible tourism and to support the local economy. The foundation also provides training and job opportunities for local residents, which helps to reduce poverty and promote economic growth.

SHF is committed to preserving the natural beauty of Sumba and works to educate visitors about the importance of environmental conservation. The foundation offers tours of the island’s natural attractions, including waterfalls, beaches, and forests, and provides information about the local ecosystem and the importance of protecting it.

In summary, Sumba Hospitality Foundation is a pioneer in promoting sustainable tourism practices in Indonesia. The foundation’s commitment to eco-friendly operations and community engagement has helped to promote responsible tourism and to support the local economy.

Partnerships and Support

The Sumba Hospitality Foundation (SHF) has received support and collaboration from various industries and government bodies. These partnerships have enabled SHF to achieve its mission of empowering young adults on the island of Sumba through education, training, and work experience.

Industry Collaboration

SHF has partnered with Glion Institute of Higher Education, a leading hospitality management school in Switzerland. Glion has provided financial support and helped develop a Sustainable Tourism Development Plan for Sumba. The plan aims to promote responsible tourism that benefits the local community while preserving the island’s fragile environment.

SHF has also collaborated with various hotels and resorts in Sumba, including Nihi Sumba, one of the most luxurious resorts in the world. These collaborations have provided SHF students with valuable work experience and job opportunities.

Government Relations

SHF has received support from the Indonesian government, including the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. In 2019, SHF was awarded the prestigious Anugerah Pesona Indonesia (API) award for the category of “Human Resource Development in Tourism.” This award recognizes SHF’s contribution to the development of Indonesia’s tourism industry through education and training.

SHF has also worked closely with the local government of Sumba. In 2020, SHF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sumba Barat Daya Regency to promote sustainable tourism development in the region.

In conclusion, SHF’s partnerships and collaborations with various industries and government bodies have enabled it to achieve its mission of empowering young adults on the island of Sumba. These partnerships have provided SHF students with valuable work experience, job opportunities, and recognition for their contributions to Indonesia’s tourism industry.

Impact and Success Stories

Since its establishment, the Sumba Hospitality Foundation (SHF) has made a significant impact on the communities of Sumba. Through its vocational hospitality training program, the foundation has empowered young adults with the skills they need to create sustainable employment opportunities and break the cycle of poverty, currently there are about 410+ school alumni of this initiative. As a result, many graduates of the program have gone on to secure jobs in the hospitality industry, both on Sumba and beyond.

One notable success story is that of a young woman named Maria. She was one of the first students to enroll in the SHF program and has since graduated with flying colors. Today, Maria works as a guest relations officer at a luxury resort in Bali, where she is able to use the skills she learned at SHF to provide top-notch service to guests from around the world.

Another success story is that of the SHF’s collaboration with local businesses and government organizations. By working together, the foundation has been able to create a sustainable model for tourism development in Sumba that benefits both the local community and the tourism industry. For example, the foundation has partnered with local hotels and restaurants to provide on-the-job training for its students, giving them valuable real-world experience in addition to their classroom education.

Overall, the impact of the Sumba Hospitality Foundation on the people of Sumba has been significant. By providing young adults with the education and skills they need to succeed in the hospitality industry, the foundation has helped to create a brighter future for the people of Sumba and pave the way for sustainable tourism development in the region.

To read more about this initiative and donate, visit the Sumba Hospitality Foundation.