“Working according to your passion is more meaningful! After almost five years at Atourin, I continue to grow and am grateful to be part of this journey.”
– Reza Permadi Halim
Reza Permadi Halim, or Reper as he’s known, began his journey in the Geological Engineering program at Diponegoro University (Undip) as a young student in 2010. Amidst the broad field of geology he studied in college, and his graduation in 2014, Reper discovered a deep passion for geotourism, a tourism approach that focuses on the uniqueness of geological elements and the development of local communities and sustainable economies.
One day in 2014, Reper planned to climb Mount Semeru from Jakarta, bringing all his climbing gear. Upon arrival, he was disappointed to discover that the hiking trail was closed. If only there were a platform that informed visitors about climbing closures, it would be a huge help, ensuring that their preparations and travel expenses were not wasted. According to Tempo.com, this was what prompted Reper to create Geotour.id, the precursor to Atourin.
Along with his role as founder and CEO of Geotour Indonesia (2015-2019), his passion for art continued to grow as he envisioned a larger project with a broader reach: the Wajah Project Art Exhibition. To further deepen his knowledge of tourism, Reper pursued a master’s degree in Sustainable Tourism. This foundational knowledge became the foundation for the digital platform Atourin, which he founded with his colleagues.
Atourin has a grand vision to become a leading digital platform that connects tourists with Indonesia’s rich natural and cultural heritage. By continuously innovating and collaborating with various parties, Atourin hopes to empower rural communities, increase tourist visits, and contribute to the development of sustainable tourism in Indonesia. As a token of appreciation for its innovation and contribution, Atourin received an award for the best unique application from Google in 2022. This award demonstrates Atourin’s success in creating innovative and relevant solutions for the Indonesian tourism industry.
“Atourin is not just a travel agent, but a marketplace that directly connects tourism product owners, such as tourist villages and homestays, with tourists. By using a sophisticated Visitor Management System, Atourin is able to manage tourist visits automatically, transparently, and paperlessly,” said Reza.
Currently, Reper is the Co-Founder & COO of Atourin (PT. Atourin Teknologi Nusantara) and a Faculty Member at BINUS University, focusing on technology in the sustainable tourism industry. Together with Benarivo T. Putra and Muchdlir Zauhariy, they have made Atourin resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic. With more than three major projects under his belt, he continues to bring innovative ideas to share his knowledge and passion for tourism with the younger generation.
Reper has presented numerous works, including at the International Tourism Conference (ITC), the Asia Pacific Geopark Network Conference, Planet Tourism Indonesia, and several regional conferences in Indonesia. His involvement in professional organizations, including speaking engagements, workshops, and seminars, earned him the title of Indonesia’s Creative Young Ambassador (2017), an award from the Indonesian Ministry of Youth & Sports (2022) and the SATU Indonesia Awards from Astra International (2023).
As quoted by Tech in Asia Indonesia, Reper hopes to further engage and inspire young people to be passionate about their work and build the nation for a better future.
