Mirella Pandjaitan
May 26, 2026
The Yogyakarta City Tourism Office has introduced a new initiative called ‘Bule Mengajar’ (Foreigners Teach), aimed at increasing the length of stay among foreign tourists in the city.
According to the Tourism Office Head Lucia Daning Krisnawati, the program was developed in response to a directive from the city’s mayor to create innovative tourism strategies, particularly to revitalise Kotagede, a district rich in cultural and historical significance.
Kotagede is known for its silver craftsmanship, deep-rooted heritage as part of the former Mataram Sultanate, and its potential for religious tourism. Through Bule Mengajar, foreign tourists are invited to engage directly with local communities by sharing experiences, teaching, and immersing themselves in everyday life.
“We were challenged to develop a program where foreign visitors can gain meaningful experiences in Indonesia and later share those stories back home,” Krisnawati explained.
The initiative involves close collaboration with schools in Kotagede, allowing students to interact directly with foreign tourists to encourage cultural exchange and inspiring interest in foreign languages and global perspectives.
For visitors, the experience extends beyond classrooms. Participants are invited to explore local life hands-on: visiting silver workshops, shopping at traditional markets like Pasar Legi, and sampling local delicacies such as kipo, kembang waru, and yangko. They are also guided through community-based tourism spots, namely Kampung Wisata Purbayan.
Moreover, Deputy Mayor Wawan Harmawan emphasised that tourism programs must deliver tangible benefits to local communities.
“Tourism should not be limited to sightseeing. Visitors should engage by learning culture, entering neighbourhoods, and sharing knowledge. That’s where economic, social, and community empowerment impacts emerge,” he said.
Longer stays, he added, naturally translate into increased spending which leads to supporting local eateries and boosting Micro Small and Medium Enterprises.
Currently, the average length of stay for foreign tourists in Yogyakarta hovers below two days. Through Bule Mengajar, Yogyakarta hopes to push that figure higher by offering more meaningful, experience-driven travel.
At the same time, officials stress that all visitors are expected to respect local customs and cultural norms, ensuring that Yogyakarta’s identity remains preserved even as it opens its doors to deeper global exchange.