Discovering New Perspectives Since Becoming a Tour Guide in Sumba

As someone who grew up on the island of Sumba, Afrianto Dida Hau, also known as Adi R, never imagined his life would change drastically due to an unexpected opportunity. Previously, Adi was only known as an inter-city driver, leading a simple routine in his hometown. However, fate had other plans. Since meeting IndonesiaJuara Trip in early 2017, Adi’s life began to take an unexpected turn. This is the story of Adi, a tour guide who is now an essential part of Sumba’s tourism industry and a new face introducing the beauty of this island to the world! This is the journey of Adi R tour guide Sumba, who is now an essential part of Sumba’s tourism and a new face introducing the beauty of this island to the world! This story serves as a real-life example of how tourism can transform an individual’s life and positively impact the local community, opening new economic opportunities. A journey that has made Sumba increasingly recognized worldwide!

The Start of an Unexpected Change

Adi’s (36) journey as a tour guide with IndonesiaJuara Trip began unexpectedly. In February 2017, a friend asked for his help driving a guest who wanted to explore Sumba. At the time, Adi worked as an intercity driver, and without much thought, he agreed to the request, thinking that money was the most important thing at the time.

“Back then, Bang Faisal contacted me, saying there was a guest who wanted to explore Sumba. I was initially confused about what ‘explore’ meant, but I agreed because it seemed like extra income for me,” Adi shared with IndonesiaJuara Trip on June 18.

That was the moment Adi’s life began to change. He met Agung Afif, the founder of IndonesiaJuara Trip. Agung invited him to travel from West Sumba to Southwest Sumba for about five days. Although Adi got lost a few times, the trip was very memorable for him, as he gained many new experiences he had never had before.

After spending five days together, Adi drove Agung back to Denpasar. Agung said he would return to Sumba and promised to open tours to the world to introduce the island’s beauty.

” Bang Faisal and I exchanged glances because we didn’t fully understand what Agung meant. We didn’t know what a ‘trip’ was, so we just agreed,” said Adi.

In March 2017, Adi was contacted again to drive guests from the Indonesian Juara Trip. However, once again, since he didn’t understand the purpose of their visit, he just moved them around as a regular driver.

“At that time, I was just driving. Bang Tegar, the tour guide at that time, took photos of the guests, including flying drones. This continued for several trips,” Adi explained.

In May 2017, Agung returned to Sumba to handle a client’s pre-wedding photoshoot. During this second meeting, Agung asked Adi to become a tour guide in Sumba. Agung told him that Adi could introduce Sumba to the world by becoming a tour guide. At that moment, Adi was moved and immediately agreed to the offer.

It didn’t take long before Adi was asked to fly to Labuan Bajo to receive formal tour guide training. Upon arriving, Adi was immediately asked to be an assistant guide on a boat. Although he wasn’t fully prepared, Adi decided to take on the challenge because he was determined to become a tour guide in Sumba.

“It was my first time on an airplane. Becoming a guide on the IndonesiaJuara Trip gave me an incredible experience. Even when learning to guide for the first time, I immediately felt that this would change my life,” said Adi.

Not only did Adi learn how to be a tour guide, but he was also taught how to operate a drone and a camera. This way, he could assist guests who wanted to capture their moments in Sumba. He also learned how to serve guests and handle any situation during the tour.

Shortly after the training ended, Adi returned home. Before he left, Agung handed him a set of drone and camera equipment, hoping these tools would showcase the beauty of Sumba.

“Honestly, on the last day, I reflected on how someone like me—who didn’t have a degree—was trusted by someone who had only known me for a few months. This is an opportunity I must cherish and make the most of,” said Adi.

Since that moment, Adi’s life changed drastically—not only economically but also in terms of his worldview. Before, he was just a driver, and his thoughts were limited to that job. But since becoming a tour guide, his perspective shifted completely.

He began focusing on saving money for his children’s education. He also enrolled his children in the best schools in Sumba, hoping they could become proud future leaders of their hometown.

This decision wasn’t without reason. Since becoming a tour guide, he has met many incredible people who ultimately expanded his mindset. These people always emphasized that education was the key to securing their future. That’s when Adi committed to providing the best education for his children.

“Since becoming a tour guide, I’ve met many people, from office workers to government officials. They all shared that education must be a priority if you want to succeed. That’s when I decided to give the best to my children’s education,” said Adi.

Trip to Sumba: Opening Economic Opportunities for the Local Community

The launch of Sumba Tours by IndonesiaJuara Trip has brought a significant change to Adi’s life and to the entire local community living around the tourism destinations in the area.

Previously, life in Sumba was quite simple, with many residents relying on agriculture or handicrafts as their primary sources of income. However, with the growing tourism industry, Sumba’s tourism destinations have become a gateway to new local economic opportunities. Small food stalls, souvenir vendors, and craft artisans have experienced a significant increase in their income.

“They are pleased with the arrival of tourists, and they often express their gratitude because tourists not only bring new insights but also open up new economic doors for them,” said Adi.

Adi shared that with the arrival of tourists in Sumba, local people now have more opportunities to offer their products, whether it’s food, crafts, or traditional Sumba souvenirs like woven fabrics. In Waituri, one of the villages often visited by tourists, Adi saw a vast potential in local children who had hidden talents, particularly in photography. With the basic skills he taught them, these children now offer photo services to guests using their phones.

“Now, these kids receive voluntary payments from guests, who not only enjoy their souvenir photos but also allow the younger generation of Sumba to grow with the talents they have,” said Adi.

Adi added that the presence of IndonesiaJuara Trip has not only boosted the local economy but also created social changes within the community. Children who previously could not afford to continue their education up to high school due to financial limitations can now attend school. Some of these children have even started pursuing higher education.

“Some children from food stall vendors near tourist destinations have managed to send their kids to college. This shows that it’s not just me, but many local people who benefit from this tourism,” said Adi.

Now, Adi urges the local community to be prepared and maintain a positive attitude, so that everyone who comes to Sumba will fall in love with the island—not just for its natural beauty but also for the local wisdom of the Sumbanese people.

This means anyone who wishes to visit Sumba can do so without hesitation or worries. According to Adi, the continued improvement of the Sumba community’s economy can only be achieved if tourism in Sumba continues to grow.

“Now, Sumba is a place where the economy is growing, the local culture is valued, and the younger generation can achieve their dreams thanks to the opportunities opened by the tourism sector. So, we all need to prepare ourselves,” said Adi.

Preserving Sumba’s Nature for Future Generations

While continuing to introduce Sumba’s beauty to the world, maintaining the island’s natural beauty remains crucial. Adi and IndonesiaJuara Trip believe that as more tourists visit, the preservation and beauty of Sumba’s environment will inevitably be impacted.

Natural attractions like the stunning beaches, green hills, and pristine tropical forests could suffer damage if not carefully managed. The increasing presence of plastic waste, organic waste, and damage from uncontrolled activities has started to show, especially in areas frequently visited by tourists.

“Therefore, together with IndonesiaJuara Trip, we are committed to consistently preserving Sumba’s nature by regularly conducting clean-up activities with the local community around tourist destinations,” said Adi.

Every three months, he invites locals, from older people to the youth, to clean up the tourist spots and the surrounding areas from scattered trash. By doing so, the beauty and cleanliness of these tourist spots will continue to be maintained.

Additionally, during every trip, Adi campaigns for tourists to keep their surroundings clean and dispose of their waste correctly. His team always provides designated trash bins, so if tourists see trash during the tour, they can immediately dispose of it in the bins provided.

“Every trip, we always bring trash bags to collect the waste. Not just on the beaches, but also in the cities that appear dirty. We usually visit these places every three months to clean them up,” said Adi.

With ongoing awareness and efforts, Adi hopes that Sumba will remain a beautiful and natural destination for today’s tourists and future generations. Sumba’s natural beauty is a legacy that must be preserved while also providing the best experience for visitors who come to the island.

The New Face of Sumba

As the tourism sector continues to grow, the face of Sumba is also evolving. The infrastructure and tourism facilities have improved, and the local community’s readiness to welcome tourists has also grown. Therefore, anyone wanting to visit Sumba no longer needs to hesitate.

The shift in mindset and attitudes among the local community towards tourism has made the atmosphere in Sumba increasingly friendly, welcoming visitors with open arms. This has created a respectful relationship between tourists and locals.

“Sumba is not the same as it used to be. The human resources here are developing, people are more open to tourism, and many young people are eager to get involved in the industry. We’ve also educated them on how to behave,” said Adi.

Once known as a remote island rarely heard of among tourists, Sumba has become a destination drawing attention, especially for those seeking unspoiled natural beauty and rich culture.

Sumba has developed into a tourist destination with immense potential. By visiting Sumba, tourists get an extraordinary vacation experience and contribute to improving the welfare of the local community.

“So, I emphasize again, don’t hesitate to come to Sumba, because Sumba differs from decades ago. You can be sure your holiday in Sumba will be safe and enjoyable!” concluded Adi.

The story of Adi, a Sumba tour guide from IndonesiaJuara Trip, is a powerful example of how tourism can transform someone’s life and positively impact the local community. A trip to Sumba not only enriches your personal experience but also opens up economic opportunities for the local people, improves education for children in Sumba, and helps preserve the island’s natural beauty!

So, what do you think? Still hesitating to travel to Sumba? Don’t worry, a trip to Sumba with IndonesiaJuara Trip will surely make your vacation unforgettable. Contact us now and start planning your unforgettable trip to Sumba!