Yogyakarta – English Literature students of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, class of 2023, conducted a travel agency simulation as part of their assignment for the elective course English for Tourism. This activity was carried out by several groups in stages from April 18 to May 16, 2026, featuring a variety of tourist destinations ranging from Studio Gamplong, Bukit Pengilon, Maritim Baros, Kota Solo, Mangunan Fruit Garden, and the Aerospace Museum.

This activity was a realization of the Project Based Learning (PjBL) method in the English for Tourism course. Just like a real tour and travel company, each student group formed an organizational structure, from a chairperson to supporting divisions. After that, they designed a tour package, distributed pamphlets, and created promotional content on social media to attract tourists.

One of the participating students, Habib, explained that the preparation process for his group, Traverse de Azure, went smoothly even though it was initially marked by some concerns. This group carried out a tour agency simulation with a one-day, one-night camping destination at Bukit Pengilon. Habib further explained the tour preparation process from the beginning to the end, which included determining the company structure, deciding the tour location, distributing pamphlets and videos via social media, holding internal meetings and technical meetings, and finally executing the activity on the day itself.

The course lecturer, Febriyanti Dwiratna Lestari, S.S., M.A., emphasized that the PjBL method was chosen because it has proven effective in developing various skills needed in the modern era. She further mentioned that this learning method has several advantages in developing twenty-first century skills, such as problem-solving abilities, teamwork, communication, and decision-making.

Through this simulation, students did not simply learn in the classroom. They directly practiced how to manage a travel tour process, from planning the package, creating promotional brochures, conducting site surveys, to guiding tourists throughout the tour. Students were also trained to deal with various obstacles that might arise in the field.

The group that organized the camping trip at Bukit Pengilon for two days, from April 25 to 26, 2026, not only planned an ordinary trip but also had to independently prepare tent facilities and camping equipment. In the field, challenges came from unexpected things such as accompanying participants while trekking uphill, carrying relatively heavy cooler boxes, setting up tents, and arranging the placement of all participants.

Equally interesting, another group that organized a canoeing trip at Maritim Baros on May 3, 2026, provided a different and challenging tour experience for its tourists. Participants were treated to a very enjoyable canoeing experience and a series of very exciting activities. Like the previous group, the students acting as travel agents for the Maritim Baros destination did similar things, from distributing pamphlets, coordinating participants, guiding them to the tourist location, to documenting moments during the activity. The student travel agents welcomed the tourists very openly and warmly.

Ergina Aurani, one of the camping tour participants, stated that she really enjoyed the activity. She assessed that the service provided by the organizing group was generally quite good.

Meanwhile, the student organizers gained many valuable lessons from this simulation. Habib, one of the organizing students, revealed that the activity provided him with experience in managing people he did not yet know well, learning to be responsible for the safety of participants, as well as training cooperation, leadership, and various other positive attitudes.

This series of tour simulation activities will continue until the last group, which will hold its tour at the Aerospace Museum on May 16, 2026. Through this simulation, English Literature students of UIN Sunan Kalijaga are not only honing their English language skills in the context of tourism but also equipping themselves with real-life experiences that they will be ready to bring into the professional world. (SNJ/DNI/DPF/HFS)