Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Baparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said he would continue to provide support in developing the potential of tourism villages in Indonesia, including tourism villages in East Kalimantan which are close to the state capital (Ibu Kota Negara/IKN) Nusantara. It relates to efforts to develop the tourism sector and sustainable creative economy around IKN.

Carrying the concept of green and sustainable tourism, tourism villages in East Kalimantan will continue to be encouraged to develop quality destinations. Although these tourist villages have great potential, they are not well-known to many tourists.

The potential of every tourism village in East Kalimantan is also enormous, given its abundant natural resources, culture, and competitive creative economy. Several tourism villages in East Kalimantan have been included in the Tourism Village Network (Jadesta) and have great potential to be included in the 2024 Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI).

The following is a list of tourism villages in East Kalimantan that are located near the IKN and their potential:

Nipah-Nipah Tourism Village

Nipah-Nipah is a tourism village in East Kalimantan worth discussing due to its enormous tourism potential. This tourism village offers a wide variety of tourist destinations.

One of them is Sipakario Beach, a popular beach in North Penajam Paser Regency famous for its white sand and clear seawater. The beach has relatively small waves, making it suitable for families. You can also visit the Rozeline Flower Park, Alun-Alun, or the Kuta Traditional House. The Nipah-Nipah Tourism Village is conveniently located close to IKN, only 52 km away or a one-hour and 30-minute drive.

Photo: Cultural tourism is one of the attractions of Bangun Mulya Tourism Village (jadesta.kemenparekraf.go.id)

Bangun Mulya Tourism Village

Located around 62 km from IKN, in North Penajam Paser Regency, Bangun Mulya Tourism Village is also a tourism village that has excellent potential in East Kalimantan. This potential could be in the form of cultural and artistic performances carried out for generations in this village. Some of these performances are featured in large festivals, such as the Buen Festival (Festival of Kindness), an annual and the largest arts and culture festival in Bangun Mulya Tourism Village.

Apart from the Buen Festival, Bangun Mulya Tourism Village also has many cultural festivals that are interesting to see firsthand, such as the Kaki Gunung Festival, Sedekah Bumi Festival, New Year's Eve Festival, and various other big festivals. Hopefully, this annual festival will become a tourist attraction that can positively impact the tourism and creative economy sectors in Bangun Mulya Tourism Village.

Muara Enggelam Tourism Village

Muara Enggelam Tourism Village is a highly potential tourism village in East Kalimantan. Known as the "Village on Water", it is located in Muara Wis District, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan, in the middle of Lake Melintang. That's why the Muara Enggelam Tourism Village houses were built floating and using boats as the main transportation.

Despite its remote location, accessible only by boat, the Muara Enggelam Tourism Village has significant potential and accomplishments. The village has earned the title of Pilot Village as a role model for independently managing a solar power plant.

Pela Tourism Village

Still located in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan, Pela Tourism Village is also one of the leading tourism villages that is interesting to explore. This tourism village is also close to IKN, around 98 km from the IKN Zero Kilometer Point Monument. The tourism village's main attraction is water conservation, aiming to preserve the Mahakam Pesut, a protected animal species.

The cultural potential in Pela Tourism Village is also still very well maintained. It can be seen from the Jepen Dance, which tells the story of the fishermen's profession of fishing in the lake with great joy, to the Kuntau martial arts, a local cultural heritage still preserved today.

Waru Tua Tourism Village

Waru Tua Tourism Village is situated in North Penajam Paser Regency, approximately 60 km from IKN, and is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty.

One of the activities that you can do in the Waru Tua Tourism Village is cruising along the river. Rent a traditional boat and leisurely cruise along the river, surrounded by shady trees. If you're lucky, you may even glimpse proboscis and long-tailed monkeys going about their activities in the afternoon.

Mentawir Tourism Village

Mentawir Tourism Village is also one of the tourism villages in East Kalimantan with extraordinary potential, especially its natural potential. It has long been famous for its outstanding natural views of tropical and mangrove forests. Plus, the flow of the Mentawir River, often used as a challenging sports tourism location for rafting, is another attraction of this village, which is around 43 km from IKN.

Mentawir Tourism Village is known for its natural beauty and well-preserved culture, including the Ronggeng Dance. The village also has superior creative economy products that are very attractive and competitive, such as mangrove syrup and various kinds of handicrafts made from bamboo.

It must be very exciting to explore the tourism villages around IKN.