Ministry Prepares IKN Nusantara to Become Eco-tourism Place

Kalimantan – Indonesian government through the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is urging tourism and creative villages around the Capital City of Nusantara (IKN) in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan.

"We have conducted first study and the results show that the development of IKN is very suitable with the concept of sustainable tourism and seamless traveling. The focus of tourism is towards Eco-tourism," Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said on Thursday. 

"So, the tourism trend in IKN will be guided by the concept of quality and sustainability," the minister added. 

Minister Uno believes that the tourism sector in IKN has the potential to grow because it is supported by well-established regions such as Samarinda, Balikpapan, and other areas in East Kalimantan.

In 2023, the tourism sector contributed IDR 9.14 trillion out of the total IDR 524.16 trillion gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of East Kalimantan. Meanwhile, the creative economy sector contributed IDR 29.43 trillion.

"We have made various serious efforts. We continue to promote the tourism awareness program, including hospitality training. The most important part is accompanying investment growth," the Minister remarked.

Minister Uno added that in the future, they will organize an event called "Netas" or Finding Communities.

This forum is a discussion platform as well as an invitation for creative economy communities to participate in the development of IKN, especially in the tourism sector.

The five prioritized tourist destinations are Mentawir Village, Pampang Cultural Village, Balikpapan Botanical Garden, Bangkirai Hill, and Tanah Merah Beach.

"We're also improving the national tourism development index, in 2022 placing East Kalimantan in the top 10 out of 30 provinces, this is an asset for the creative economy sector," he emphasized.

During the event, Minister Uno also revealed the government's target to attract foreign tourists through various international events.

One is the "World Working Day," an annual event of The Association for International Sports for All (TAFISA) which will be attended by 10 thousand people on October 6, 2024, in IKN Nusantara, East Kalimantan.

"Obviously, this is one of the opportunities that can be utilized. In essence, we will continue to improve the economy and tourism sectors in IKN to become a top-five economy in the world," the minister concluded.