Exploring Bontang's Green Tourism Destinations: The Future of Tourism Behind Industrial Downstreaming

Bontang - The mangrove forest in Bontang Kuala now appears with an entirely new face. Winding wooden boardwalks span over the water, connecting the observation tower to the Conservation gallery, offering a calm walking route surrounded by the dense coastal ecosystem.

At this location, the soft sound of rolling waves blends with the activity of an eco-café operated using environmentally friendly principles. This atmosphere demonstrates the serious commitment of the Bontang City Government, East Kalimantan, to develop local natural potential into a properly managed Tourism Destination, while also forming part of efforts to push regional economic growth in 2026 to the range of 4.2 to 4.5 percent through Green Investment.

Aside from the Tourism sector, the Bontang City Government is also accelerating downstream development of plantation industries as a new economic growth driver. The continuously promoted Green Investment opportunities cover the development of educational parks, overwater floating villas, as well as palm oil industry downstreaming focused on high value-added derivative products including fatty amine and fatty acid.

This transformation has also reached the clear blue waters of Pulau Beras Basah, where the island's iconic white sandy beaches are now equipped with solar-powered family beach park facilities. The same development applies to Pulau Tihi-Tihi, where the Marine EduPark provides visitors space for guided Diving activities within Coral Reef Conservation areas jointly managed by local communities.

These Tourism destination and industrial sector developments are the implementation of the core vision of the 2025-2035 General Investment Plan (RUPM). Muhammad Aspianur, Head of Bontang City One-Stop Integrated Investment and Licensing Agency (DPMPTSP), confirmed that these measures are taken to transform Bontang into an inclusive Green Tourism destination. Aspianur stated this policy also serves as concrete action to reduce carbon emissions in the region.

Confidence in this development direction is reflected in first quarter 2026 investment achievement which reached IDR 796.78 billion, equivalent to 23.25 percent of the annual target. From this total realized value, IDR 707.31 billion or 88.77 percent was contributed by Domestic Investment (PMDN), while the remaining IDR 89.46 billion or 11.23 percent came from Foreign Investment (PMA).

With this year's total investment target set at IDR 3.42 trillion -- an 11.24 percent increase compared to the previous year's figure of IDR 3.08 trillion -- Muhammad Aspianur told ANTARA that he is optimistic the target will be fully achieved. The city is now building a new economic narrative, moving towards balanced industrial downstreaming and tourism development that will become a leading attraction in East Kalimantan.

This bold step by Bontang is not only about reaching investment figures, but an effort to forge a new identity for the city's future. By aligning progressive industrial development with careful preservation of natural charm, Bontang is establishing itself as a model for resilient regional transformation in East Kalimantan; a place where economic progress and environmental sustainability grow intertwined to become a competitive, lasting attraction.