Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia -- East Kalimantan, the lungs of Borneo, 
not only known as home to the indigenous Dayak tribe and one of the 
resource-richest provinces in Indonesia, but is also gifted with so many 
natural tourist destinations.
 
Strategically located in the center of Indonesia, sheltered from natural 
disasters, and has sufficient vital infrastructures, East Kalimantan province 
has whatever it takes to be an Indonesian leading tourist destination.
 
East Kalimantan is widely known for its robust breathtaking nature attractions. 
Kakaban Island, a part of Derawan Island, is globally known as home to 
"stingless jellyfish lake", which are only a few exist in the world. Unlike the 
common jellyfish roaming in ocean, Kakaban Lake's jellyfish is stingless, 
meaning that human can dive side by side, even can touch it without being hurt.
 
The other destination that can't be missed is Bangkirai Hill, which is named 
after the Bangkirai trees that are abundantly grown througout the area. The 
most unique landmark in Bangkirai Hill is the 64-meter long and 30-meter high 
wooden bridge overlooking the ocean of rain forest.
 
According to East Kalimantan Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the foreign 
tourists arrival increases year by year. From January to April 2018, the 
foreign tourists hit 5,611 persons, significantly impacting the hotel 
occupation reaching 54,14%.
 
"The average length of stay for Foreign tourists is 2,61 days, while the 
domestic (tourists) is 1,79 days," revealed Head of East Kalimantan CBS Atqo 
Mardiyanto.
 
Despite showing positive escalation, East Kalimantan is still left far behind 
in terms of tourists visit comparing to a number of popular tourist attractions 
in Indonesia such Bali, Borobudur Temple in Yogyakarta, and even National 
Monument in Jakarta.
 
The governor of East Kalimantan Isran Noor asserted that the tourism sector has 
become the focus of concern of the provincial development. Therefore, the 
provincial government of East Kalimantan, along with Bali, and Jakarta took 
part in the Indonesia Infrastructure Investment Forum 2019 held on July 2, 2019 
in London, to showcase the infrastructure and tourism opportunities to
potential investors.
 
"The infrastructure developments and investment permits and licensing 
streamlining become the main factors to attract abroad investment," said Isran.
 
Like Isran, former head of Investment Center of East Kalimantan Abdullah Sani 
conveyed that tourism is considered the most potential sectors for the would-be 
investors given that the province is rich in natural resources and nature 
attraction, which has not yet been optimally explored.
 
"It's widely known as home to one of Indonesian largest rain forest, coupled 
with rich cultural and historical assets, making it one of the most unexplored 
potential regions in Indonesia in terms of tourism," Abdullah noted.
 
Indonesia capital city relocation

President of Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has announced that the 
country's capital will be relocated to East Kalimantan due to overpopulated and 
polluted current capital city, Jakarta. This is a great opportunity for East 
Kalimantan to further boost its tourism sector.
 
Chairwoman of Association of the Indonesia Tours & Travel Agencies (ASITA) 
expounded that once a region is set to be the country's capital city, it is 
very likely that all of its existing industries will be escalated significantly.
 
"What i mean is a massive infrastructure and public facility developments which 
eventually impacts tourism as well," she concluded. 

SOURCE: Provincial Gorvernment of East Kalimantan, Republic of Indonesia