Dora Sinaga's Portfolio

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  • First webinar which I open for public free of charge

  • Customer engagement: what truly matters when we use a service such as transport, is how it makes us feel

    Yesterday, I had plans to watch a movie. Even though the cinema is only about a 15 minute drive from my house, I intentionally gave myself extra time. I did not want to feel rushed, and I thought it would be a simple, uneventful trip, just a short ride to the venue. However, something I…

  • When Gold Goes Unnoticed, Context, Perception, and the Construction of Value

    The saying “wherever you are, if you are gold, you will always shine” assumes that true value is naturally recognized.  One afternoon, after a long discussion on her research, Maya sat across from her professor in a quiet office filled with books and soft light. They had been talking about value, not in numbers or…

  • The Pie That Made Me Wait

    Yesterday was very hot, around 32°C, so I decided to go to a mall to cool down. I walked around for a while and did some window shopping. I bought a pair of flat shoes because I don’t feel comfortable wearing flip flops that expose my toes. Since I just arrived in Indonesia, I can…

  • Efficiency Without Empathy, What Hospitality Should Not Forget

    Working in hospitality requires a high level of customer service, professionalism, and empathy. One thing that I find particularly disappointing is encountering individuals in service roles who appear to perform their duties without genuine engagement or commitment. Recently, I travelled from the UK to Singapore for an occasion. The journey was challenging as I was…

  • Shaping the Future of Indonesian Tourism: Sustainability, Technology, and Community

    Indonesia is a country rich in natural beauty, culture, and traditions, yet its tourism industry still faces significant challenges. Many local communities do not earn sustainable income from tourism, and economic benefits remain unevenly distributed. According to a 2025 report by Kemenparekraf, only 35 out of 6,191 community-based tourism (CBT) villages are considered sustainable. Many…

  • Why Are They Not Calling? A Personal Reflection on Digital Marketing and Missed Connections

    Although I have created four websites, including batamtourism.com, I still find myself searching for a clear answer to a fundamental question: how do we truly attract more visitors and encourage meaningful engagement, such as phone calls or direct enquiries? The February 2026 performance data for batamtourism.com shows 274 unique visitors generating 411 visits between 1…

  • Pandang Tak Jemu (Mangrove as an educational tour destination)

    Empowering Indonesia’s Coastal Communities: Lessons from Pandang Tak Jemu, Batam Indonesia, as the world’s largest archipelagic nation, holds an extraordinary richness in marine and coastal resources. With more than 17,000 islands, its coastal communities are the first line of defense for ocean conservation. They are also key partners in building a sustainable and inclusive marine…

  • English for tourist guide project

    A training for tourist guide in Batam island This project aims to improve tour guides communication skills in English. The lesson are conducted online via zoom. The syllabus for this training is based on theoretical knowledge. It also relies on practical experience I have accumulated since starting my career as a tour guide. I drew…

  • PRESENTATION FOR BRIN (Research agency for Indonesia)

    On the 31st of July, I presented my PhD proposal for a zoom meeting. In the meeting, I received an opportunity to be recommended by the research agency. This recommendation was because I was applying for a PhD scholarship, funded by Indonesian Endowments Funds (LPDP). The zoom meeting took almost 2 hours with 20 attendance.…

  • Tour Leader modules project (Indonesian version)

    Selamat datang di Proyek Modul Pelatihan Tour Leader, sebuah program yang dibuat untuk membantu meningkatkan kemampuan dan peran tour leader di dunia pariwisata saat ini. Tour leader adalah orang yang berada di garis depan dan menjadi wajah dari suatu destinasi. Mereka berperan penting dalam memberikan pengalaman terbaik kepada wisatawan, mulai dari mengatur perjalanan, menjaga keamanan,…

  • What tourism can do for our local communities?

    Tourism contributed more than 4% for Indonesia income Tourism can significantly support local communities such as local destination management organisations, tour guides, artisans, and souvenir makers. Tourism assists to preserve the local cultures and local wisdom. Furthermore, in the bigger pictures, both economic and socio-cultural are supported by the tourism activities. What is the issue…