RedDoorz Invests in Young Indonesian Hospitality Talent Through Scholarships

Jakarta, July 23, 2025 – For Aldes Nasution, being the son of a farmer from Sikapas Village, Mandailing Natal, in a remote area of North Sumatra, has never stopped him from dreaming big. A student at Medan Polytechnic of Tourism (Poltekpar Medan), Aldes has been accustomed to financing his own education through small businesses while participating in various competitions to help cover his accommodation and food expenses. Now, through the RedDoorz Excellent Diploma (RED) Scholarship, Aldes has taken another step forward, having been selected to participate in a five-star hotel internship program in Hong Kong.

As the tourism sector continues to recover, the demand for professional workers in the hospitality industry has also increased. Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana stated that the number of workers in the tourism sector reached 25.01 million in 2024, growing 2.5 percent from 24.41 million in 2023, in line with the increase in tourist visits throughout 2023–2024.

However, behind this growth, the biggest challenge lies in the availability of skilled and work-ready human resources, particularly among young people with limited access to education. In response to this challenge, RedDoorz introduced the RED Scholarship, a full scholarship program for high-achieving students from underprivileged families at four Tourism Polytechnics: Medan, Palembang, Bali, and Lombok.

The RED Scholarship initiative is part of RedDoorz’s collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar), which began in July 2024 and will continue through 2027. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, as well as internship opportunities within the RedDoorz property network and related brands.

“I used to wonder whether I would be able to complete my studies, after failing more than nine times in university entrance tests and due to my family’s limited financial circumstances. But with this scholarship, I feel that a path has opened up for me,” said Aldes. “Now I can focus on my studies and pursue an overseas internship, something I never imagined before. I also have a big dream of becoming the Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia.”

Devi Febriana, PR Manager at RedDoorz, said that stories like Aldes’ are the main reason RedDoorz launched the RED Scholarship. “Many Poltekpar students have great potential but are limited by their economic circumstances. We want them to have the same opportunities to grow and contribute to Indonesia’s tourism industry.”

Support has also come from the government. Hariyanto, Deputy for Destination and Infrastructure Development at the Ministry of Tourism, expressed his appreciation for the initiative. “We appreciate RedDoorz’s initiative, not only through the Clean Tourism Movement but also in supporting vocational education in the tourism sector. Investing in young talent like this is very important to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of Indonesia’s tourism industry in the future. Collaboration between the business sector and educational institutions is an important foundation for developing high-quality human resources who are ready to compete at the global level,” said Hariyanto.

As of 2025, the program has reached dozens of students from various majors, ranging from Hospitality Accounting Management to Tourism Travel Business. Recipients are not required to work for RedDoorz after graduation, but are expected to bring the knowledge and spirit they have gained back to their respective communities and industries.

With more young talents like Aldes gaining access to proper education, RedDoorz believes that the future of Indonesia’s hospitality industry will be supported by a new generation that is resilient, competitive, and inclusive.