The three priority tourism development zones in East Kutai, which consist of Sangatta, Sangkulirang, and Muara Wahau, have unique, attractive tourist destinations to develop.
Heaptalk, Jakarta — The East Kutai Tourism Department has mapped out three zones to facilitate the development of tourist destinations, including Sangatta, Sangkulirang, and Muara Wahau. This is part of the regency government’s efforts to focus on building priority-scale tourism in 2023.
The Head of the East Kutai Tourism Department, Nurullah, conveyed, “The three zones certainly have the potential for tourist destinations that are classified as superior development priorities. However, not all will be built at once, but gradually.” The development includes amenity support in the form of facilities outside of accommodation and accessibility support.
Regarding the detailed plan, Nurullah mentioned several destinations in North Sangatta and South Sangatta Districts would be prioritized for development by the Department. “In this Sangatta zone, we take priorities, namely the Teluk Lombok Coast, Teluk Perancis, and Teluk Singkama,” he voiced.
In the Sangkulirang zone, the Department will prioritize Sangkulirang Karst tourist destinations by considering the existence of a palm cave which will be submitted as a geopark and world heritage to UNESCO. Nurullah said, “Miang Island is also one of our priorities. The East Kutai Regency Government continues to support, both in the form of budgets from the central, provincial, and regional levels themselves.”
Meanwhile, in the third zone of Muara Wahau, the Department will prioritize the development of the Embang Lemun Waterfall tourist destination in the Narkata Rimba area which has a fairly high water contour. “Zone 3 prioritized not only nature but also the local wisdom of the Dayak Wehea,” added Nurullah.
Responding to the development zone mapping, Deputy Chair of Commission X of the House of Representatives, Hetifah Sjaifudian, on a working visit to East Kutai appreciated the steps taken by the East Kutai Regency Government through the Tourism Department.
“We at Commission X which deals with tourism are also focusing on revising the Tourism Law to encourage the central government not only to develop super-priority tourism like Bali,” said Hetifah. The law is expected to encourage the central government to work on tourism in other regions and not only focus on super-priority areas.
“Now there is also a kind of tourism potential in the villages or hamlet areas which may also need to be encouraged that the community including the business actors can contribute to developing tourism,” concluded Hetifah.
