Students of SLB N 2 Bantul Visit Borobudur Temple, Real Manifestation of Inclusive Tourism Destination Development

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko (TWC) continues to encourage the improvement of quality tourism in Indonesia through four pillars of tourism management and development, namely, Education, Conservation, Spirituality, and Tourism. This effort is made to present "Indonesian hospitality" to all visitors who come. This is in line with realizing an inclusive destination for all parties to support sustainable tourism development.

PT TWC continues to strive to develop inclusive destinations, through excellent service and the provision of supporting facilities and infrastructure in tourist destinations and areas. The aspect of inclusivity is the actualization of quality, fair, and sustainable tourism.

This is realized, one of which is by providing the best service for the tourist visit of SLB N 2 Bantul students to the Borobudur Temple Tourism Park, Magelang, Central Java on Tuesday (12/9/2023). This visit is a means of education and introduction to the Cultural Heritage tourist destination which is also a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

A total of 124 students of SLB N 2 Bantul expressed their joy when they were welcomed directly by the General Manager of Borobudur, Jamaludin Mawardi and the management team in the Marga Utama area, Borobudur Temple Tourism Park. The grandeur of the Buddhist temple built during the Syailendra Dynasty era, left awe on the faces of the students of SLB N 2 Bantul. 

"This special visit is a form of our support and empathy for our friends with disabilities, especially students from SLB 2 N Bantul. PT TWC continues to strive to build an inclusive tourist destination area, so that it can be visited by all parties. This is in accordance with our vision, namely Heritage is Harmony, which reflects diversity with universal values ​​and is inclusive for all groups who visit," explained General Manager of Borobudur Jamaludin Mawardi.

Before visiting the main area of ​​Borobudur Temple, participants headed to the Lumbini Park area to get an explanation of the history and values ​​contained in each relief of Borobudur Temple, which was delivered directly by a tour guide, accompanied by a sign language interpreter. The students then continued with the activity of painting Borobudur Temple. The colorful strokes of Borobudur Temple painted by these disabled people are a form of love for the heritage of the nation's cultural heritage sites.

"This is a new experience and gives a deep impression to all of them. We are working together with PT TWC to introduce cultural heritage destinations such as Borobudur Temple to them. This collaborative effort is certainly beneficial for all parties, especially students to love their own cultural roots more," explained the Principal of SLB N 2 Bantul Astuti Hermawati.

Astuti further said that this visit had several objectives, namely introducing students to historical places, increasing students' knowledge about Buddhist temple buildings and their history, strengthening their love for the cultural heritage of the Indonesian nation, fostering a sense of belonging so that they take the initiative in preserving temple heritage, increasing tolerance and respect for followers of other religions.

"We are very happy because the Borobudur Temple Tourism Park has facilitated and served us very well. This proves that the Borobudur Temple Tourism Park destination is very inclusive. We also hope that this good cooperation will continue in the years to come so that students with special needs can have a direct experience of visiting the Borobudur temple site," said Astuti.

This visit was attended by 255 participants consisting of 124 students, 42 teachers, employees, 8 students and 82 guardians. In addition to visiting the temple site and listening to the history of the temple, we also held a coloring, painting, and sketching competition of Borobudur Temple for students in the temple yard.

The students of SLB N 2 Bantul who were accompanied by their teachers and parents then visited the courtyard or yard of Borobudur Temple. They followed the Marga Utama which had been pinned guiding block for the visually impaired to get to the Borobudur Temple courtyard. 

After that, they went through the path disaster which was built specifically to support the activities of disabled tourists visiting Borobudur Temple. Ramp is an inclined plane made to connect the difference in floor heights that have straight surfaces. This is different from stairs that use a stepped system, making it difficult for people with disabilities to pass.

From the Borobudur Temple courtyard, the visiting participants then enter the Samudraraksa Ship Museum area. In this museum, participants are invited to learn about the greatness of the maritime heritage of the ancestors of the Indonesian nation. This maritime historical heritage is one of them embedded through the image of a traditional wooden ship on one of the reliefs of Borobudur Temple. 

The Samudraraksa Ship Museum also has a replica of the Samudraraksa ship that has sailed around various countries. In addition, through digital visuals, participants are invited to follow the development of maritime history, from the era of the Nusantara kingdom to the present.

Furthermore, Jamaludin Mawardi said that PT TWC is committed to presenting sustainable and inclusive destinations for all parties. This is in accordance with the universal values ​​contained in each cultural heritage site it manages. In addition, the existence of inclusive destinations also plays a role in providing more benefits for all parties.

"PT TWC continues to be committed to presenting inclusive destinations to all visitors. The development of inclusive tourism infrastructure, with good accessibility and friendly to all types of tourists, not only provides benefits for people with disabilities, but also benefits all levels of society," he concluded.