English and Tourism Studies
Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): May

Repositioning Vocational Education within a Tourism-Led Regional Skills Ecosystem: The Case of SMK Negeri 1 Praya after the Mandalika Circuit Development

Mila Noviana (Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Mataram, Indonesia)
Sumitro Sumitro (Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Mataram, Indonesia)
Rozy Mursyidan Anfasah (Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Mataram, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
27 May 2026

Abstract

Tourism-destination development and international events can rapidly restructure local labor demand, yet limited research explains how vocational secondary schools adapt institutionally to such place-based economic change. This study examines how SMK Negeri 1 Praya reconstructed its educational role following the expansion of the Mandalika Special Economic Zone and the Mandalika International Circuit in Lombok, Indonesia. A qualitative single-case design was employed. Evidence was generated through in-depth interviews with school leaders, productive-subject teachers, students, and relevant external stakeholders; observation of school practices; and analysis of institutional documents. The material was examined thematically through coding, category development, cross-source comparison, and theme construction, with source and method triangulation used to strengthen credibility. Four interdependent mechanisms were identified: contextualizing the curriculum toward hospitality and tourism demand; building a school-industry partnership infrastructure; extending experiential learning through internships, industry guest instructors, a teaching factory, and competency certification; and integrating technical preparation with communication, discipline, teamwork, and service ethics. The findings indicate that SMK Negeri 1 Praya has moved beyond the conventional role of instructional provider and increasingly operates as a regional skills intermediary linking learners, employers, government-related tourism actors, and neighboring vocational schools. Nevertheless, partnership volume alone does not guarantee meaningful learning, equitable access, or sustainable school-to-work transitions. The study contributes a place-sensitive account of vocational-school adaptation within a tourism-led regional skills ecosystem and highlights the need to evaluate partnership quality, graduate outcomes, and the balance between immediate occupational demand and broader, transferable vocational knowledge.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ETS

Publisher

Subject

Arts Economics, Econometrics & Finance Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Other

Description

The English and Tourism Studies Journal (ETS) is a scholarly publication dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding in the fields of English language studies and tourism. ETS aims to provide a platform for researchers, academics, and practitioners to explore the dynamic relationship between ...