Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno expressed his commitment to developing tourism in Penajam Paser Utara District, a buffer area of Nusantara, Indonesia’s new capital city in East Kalimantan.
He added that his ministry is supporting tourism development in the area to prepare for the capital’s transfer from Jakarta to Nusantara.
Uno made the statement while visiting the Nipah-Nipah Tourism Village in Penajam Paser Utara, which has been selected as one of the top 50 tourism villages for 2024.
“We are committed to providing support in the form of sustainable tourism facilities, focusing on nature, environmental, and cultural conservation,” he said.
Uno mentioned that his ministry is also preparing assistance to develop tourism in the district.
This initiative aims to make Penajam Paser Utara a sustainable tourism area and part of Nusantara’s tourism destinations.
The Nipah-Nipah Village, as one of the top 50 tourism villages this year, has been granted special incentives by the ministry, Uno said.
He also urged the district government to promptly submit a budget proposal for the tourism village’s development, particularly for the Nipah-Nipah Beach project.
“There is a special budget allocated for the development of Nipah-Nipah Beach,” Uno added.
The beach’s development requires the involvement of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), particularly to address coastal abrasion.
The Nipah-Nipah coastline has experienced wave abrasion, necessitating the PUPR Ministry’s intervention.
The development of tourism destinations near Nusantara is intended to offer domestic and foreign tourists multiple options when visiting the new national capital.
“We are also preparing tourist attractions in other areas of East Kalimantan Province to support tourism in Nusantara,” Uno said.