Dudy Mayanto, Manager of Abbey Travelindo Bali
FOR Dudy Mayanto, tourism is more than just a profession—it is a lifelong journey filled with colors, challenges, and unique stories that have shaped who he is today. This is the story of Dudy Mayanto, Manager of Abbey Travelindo Bali, as told to the Globalone.id and Theimage.id editorial team.
His journey began in 1985, when he was still a law student at Gadjah Mada University (UGM). While studying, he decided to dive straight into the travel industry by joining Natrabu Yogyakarta, Indonesia’s oldest travel agency, established in 1950.
At Natrabu, Dudy started from the bottom. He learned everything—from operations and reservations to the simplest tasks, such as carrying guests’ luggage at the airport. He quickly became accustomed to serving tourists from Japan, the Netherlands, and Germany. The year 1988 became a turning point, teaching him the values of hard work, discipline, and resilience—qualities that would guide him throughout his career.
The following year, he joined Pandanaran Tour & Travel Yogyakarta as an Operations Manager. Despite still being a student, he was entrusted with major responsibilities. At the time, the Taiwanese tourist market was booming in Indonesia. Imagine: in a single day, Yogyakarta could welcome up to 10 groups of Taiwanese tourists. The numbers were so overwhelming that stacks of tickets had to be placed on bamboo trays at the airport—a sight Dudy still remembers vividly.
Working alongside Indonesian tourism legend Joop Ave—then the Minister of Tourism, Post, and Telecommunications—gave Dudy invaluable lessons. Once, he faced a difficult case when one of his guests was robbed. Yet he was not left to handle it alone; Joop Ave personally called him regularly to monitor the case’s progress. From that experience, Dudy learned the true meaning of a leader’s care and empathy.
He also recalls how Joop Ave once brought a miniature of Borobudur, carved from real stone, all the way to Taipei for an exhibition to promote Indonesia. That miniature, still preserved in Taiwan today, stands as a testament to the seriousness and dedication of Indonesia’s tourism promotion in the past. **
Writer: Karolina, Editor: Igo Kleden
