Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Geopark Tourism Continues to Grow, Visitor Numbers are Projected to Reach 16 Thousand in 2026

The East Kutai Regency Government (Pemkab Kutim) of East Kalimantan continues to strengthen development of the Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Geopark as a sustainable tourism destination. This region, renowned for its geological wealth, cultural heritage, and biodiversity, is managed under a core three-pillar framework referred to as the 3Ps: Protection, Education, and Community Empowerment.

This strategy is designed to ensure the Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Geopark does not only become a premium tourism destination, but also delivers long term benefits for both the natural environment and surrounding local communities.

"The Kutim Regency Government has committed to safeguard this protected area, as it represents a strategic regional asset that supports conservation efforts, educational programmes, and sustainable tourism growth," stated East Kutai Regent Ardiansyah Sulaiman in Sangatta, East Kalimantan on Tuesday, 30 June 2026.

Ardiansyah added that the geopark is intended to remain a well-preserved natural heritage site that holds lasting value for future generations.

To implement the protection pillar, the Kutim Regency Government has formally zoned the geopark into three designated areas: Core Zone, Buffer Zone, and Development Zone.

All activities that carry environmental damage risk are completely prohibited within the Core Zone. This includes mining operations, land clearance, and any actions that may disrupt the natural landscape or damage prehistoric cave paintings located inside the region.

Daily visitor numbers are also strictly capped to avoid exceeding the area's environmental carrying capacity. Site management has installed safety barriers, implemented routine monitoring systems, banned use of hazardous chemical substances, and formalised visitor trails to preserve the natural condition of cave walls and surrounding terrain.

The second pillar centres on research and public education. Authorities are planning construction of a dedicated geopark information centre, complete with educational walking trails and interpretive signs explaining the geological history and cultural significance of every site within the park.

This programme is further supported by integrating learning material about the region's natural heritage and history into local school curricula via the national Adiwiyata School Programme. Formal research access has also been opened for both domestic and international academic researchers.

Under this framework, the Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Geopark is projected to operate as an open-air natural learning space, where local communities and visitors can study the environment while experiencing its natural beauty.

"For the third community empowerment pillar, we are providing training for local residents to work as certified tour guides, homestay operators, craft artisans, and traditional local food producers," he explained.

The regional government is also facilitating formation of community business collectives, to ensure economic benefits from tourism are received directly by village residents. Revenue generated from entry tickets, transport services, and local product sales is structured to circulate within communities surrounding the geopark.

Additional empowerment initiatives are continuously being developed, including forest honey cultivation, specialty coffee farming, processed cocoa production, and refined traditional woven crafts that are packaged to improve market appeal and commercial value.

These efforts are already delivering measurable positive results. Regional government data records that total visitors to the Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Geopark reached 12,470 people during 2025, representing an approximate 35 percent increase compared to the prior year.

As of the midpoint of 2026, visitor arrivals had already reached 7,850 people. Based on this growth trend, total annual visitor numbers for 2026 are projected to exceed 16,000 people.