Govt, partners to develop communities to bolster tourism in Nusantara

Balikpapan (ANTARA) - The East Kalimantan Tourism Service, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, and tourism partners are developing communities to strengthen tourism and the creative economy around the new national capital Nusantara (IKN).

Head of East Kalimantan Tourism Service, Ririn Sari Dewi, said on Wednesday that one of the activities was a community meeting entitled "Communities as Local Heroes of Tourism and Creative Economy."

She said that Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, is on a two-day working visit to Balikpapan and IKN, and his agenda for the visit includes inspecting potential locations for hotel investment.

"This visit aims to inspect several important locations in IKN directly, including the ceremonial plaza, the planned location of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the official residence of the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, as well as hotel investment locations," Dewi said.

The activity is part of the minister's efforts to strengthen the role of local communities in developing the tourism sector and creative economy in the IKN buffer area, she added. She said that Uno also held a dialogue with tourism and creative economy business actors during his visit.

The dialogue was aimed at learning about the aspirations and challenges faced by industry players as well as finding solutions to further develop the sector.

"The visit of the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy marks the government's commitment to developing the area around IKN as a new center for economic growth, particularly in the tourism and creative industries," Dewi said.

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She added that Uno's visit to East Kalimantan was expected to provide a clearer picture of the potential and development of tourism and the creative economy in the region. Given its potential, IKN is expected to become a model of sustainable and inclusive city development that benefits local communities and improves their welfare, she continued.

This is being pursued through several programs and policies designed to support innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship among local communities.

"It is hoped that the minister's visit can have a positive impact and strengthen further progress for the tourism sector and creative economy in Indonesia, especially in IKN and East Kalimantan," Dewi said.