BECOMING an Agam Inong Tourism Ambassador requires more than just good looks; it also requires insight, a positive mentality, and a concern for the social environment, including for child flood survivors.
That's the experience the finalists for the 2026 Agam Inong North Aceh Tourism Ambassadors had to go through. They participated in a social project titled "UMKM Bangkit" (Rising MSMEs), centered at the Paya Rabo Temporary Housing (Huntara) in Sawang District, which serves as temporary housing for flood-affected residents in North Aceh, Indonesia.
Ten Agam and 10 Inong students personally met and played with the flood survivors. A warm and cheerful atmosphere was created through various educational games aimed at entertaining and strengthening the children's spirits during the post-disaster recovery period.
Furthermore, the finalists also visited one of North Aceh's proud creative Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs): a situek plate-making business, made from areca nut fronds, utilizing unused waste to create a high-value product.
There, the finalists learned firsthand the process of making situek plates, from processing waste materials, forming techniques, and finishing. This activity provided an educational experience demonstrating how young people's creativity can transform something considered useless into a valuable, environmentally friendly product with economic potential.
This activity received praise from the Head of the North Aceh Youth, Sports, and Tourism Office, H. Zulkifli, M.Pd., who was also present to review the event.
"This is the true meaning of Agam and Inong's role. Not just performing on stage, but being present in the community, learning, sharing, and inspiring. Activities like this demonstrate that the young generation of North Aceh possesses extraordinary social awareness and creativity," he said at the flood evacuation site on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
The Head of Culture and Tourism, Umar, M.AP., expressed similar appreciation. He stated that the situek plates are not just crafts, but symbols that culture, creativity, and the economy can go hand in hand.
"We hope this experience will inspire and broaden the finalists' horizons, encouraging them to continue elevating North Aceh's local potential to a higher level," said Umar.
Through this activity, the finalists not only carried out a social mission but also gained firsthand knowledge about the value of empathy, empowering MSMEs, and the importance of preserving local potential based on creativity and the environment.
This year's selection of Agam Inong as North Aceh Tourism Ambassador demonstrates that the tourism ambassador competition is not only about appearances and knowledge, but also about concrete actions within the community.[]