Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Prepares Tourism Villages to Support Development at IKN

A tourism village (source: jadesta.kemenparekraf.go.id)

The Government through the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy encourages villages around the Nusantara Capital (IKN) in North Penajam Paser regency, East Kalimantan province to develop themselves into tourism and creative villages.

“We have conducted initial studies, and the results show that the construction of IKN is very compatible with the concept of sustainable tourism and seamless travel, in which the tourism is directed more towards ecotourism. Accordingly, the tourism trend in the IKN will follow the concept of quality and sustainability,” said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, during a press conference entitled “Progress in the Development of Tourism and Creative Economy Sector in the IKN” held by Forum Merdeka Barat 9 (FMB9, a government-sponsored media gathering), Thursday (03/14) in Jakarta.

Sandi believes that the tourism sector in the IKN has bright prospects to develop continuously because it is also supported by well-established surrounding areas such as Samarinda, Balikpapan, and several other areas in East Kalimantan province. The tourism sector in 2023 contributed Rp9.14 trillion of the total Rp524.16 trillion in East Kalimantan’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP). Meanwhile, the creative economy sector contributed Rp29.43 trillion.

“So we have certainly made various efforts very seriously. First of all, we have always promoted tourism awareness movement programs including training in hospitality. The most important thing is assistance in increasing investment,” he said.

Sandi added, in the future his teamwork will organize an event called “Netas” or Meeting the Community. This event serves as a discussion forum as well as an encouragement to the tourism and creative economy community to participate in the development and advancement of the IKN, especially in tourism sector. The five priority tourist destinations are Mentawir Tourism Village, Pampang Cultural Village, Balikpapan Botanical Gardens, Bangkirai Hill and Tanah Merah Beach.

“We are also increasing the national tourism development index. In 2022 the index ranked East Kalimantan province in 10th place out of more than 30 provinces, this will become capital for the tourism and creative sector,” he said.

On this occasion, Sandiaga also revealed the Government’s target for attracting foreign tourists through various international events. One of them is “World Working Day”, namely the annual event of the Association for International Sports for All (TAFISA) that will be attended by 10 thousand people on October 6, 2024 at the IKN.

“Certainly, this is an opportunity that we can exploit. In essence, we will continue to improve economic and tourism sectors in the IKN to become one of the top five economies in the world,” he concluded. (Public Relations of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics/UN)