Yogyakarta, June 10, 2024 — Dr.-Ing. Ir. Paulus Bawole, MIP., a lecturer in the Master’s Program in Architecture at Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW), has been re-elected to the Policy-Making Element of the Yogyakarta City Tourism Promotion Board (BP2KY) for the 2024-2028 period. His official inauguration took place at Grha Pandawa, Yogyakarta City Hall, and was presided over by Acting Mayor of Yogyakarta, Ir. Sugeng Purwanto, M.M.A.

Aldi Fadhlil Diyanto, S.E., Chairman of BP2KY, highlighted the critical role of synergy in promoting Yogyakarta tourism, particularly to international tourists. “We will strive harder to promote Yogyakarta City tourism so that it gains greater international recognition and increases tourists’ length of stay. Let us maintain unity and cooperation for the progress and sustainability of Yogyakarta City tourism,” Diyanto emphasized.

Acting Mayor Purwanto expressed his hope for the newly elected BP2KY members to consolidate, cooperate, synergize, and collaborate effectively. He urged them to leverage their expertise to promote and develop Yogyakarta City tourism.

Dr.-Ing. Wiyatiningsih, S.T., M.T., Rector of UKDW, attended the event and voiced her optimism about UKDW’s increased involvement in Yogyakarta’s tourism enhancement. She expressed confidence in Dr. Bawole’s ability to fulfill his duties, following in the footsteps of Kristian Oentoro, S.Ds., M.Ds., a Product Design lecturer at UKDW who served on the BP2KY Policy-Making Element from 2020-2024.

“This is beneficial for UKDW as it allows us to engage directly with local issues. Collaborating with the Tourism Office enables us to contribute academic ideas to improve Yogyakarta City tourism,” Rector Wiyatiningsih stated.

Dr. Bawole underscored the necessity for BP2KY to establish a broad network to promote tourism beyond Indonesia. He also emphasized the need to increase tourists’ length of stay despite the limited attractions in Yogyakarta. “We can develop tourist villages as interesting destinations and promote inclusive tourism, enabling friends with disabilities to participate in events. UKDW can become a hub for this effort, leveraging its Center for Disability and Inclusive Design Studies and the Center for Disaster Risk Management and Sustainable Development,” Dr. Bawole explained. [humasukdw/trans.drr]