East Kalimantan's Maratua Diving Tourism Targets Malaysia and Singapore

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism is expanding Maratua diving tourism markets to Malaysia and Singapore. The initiative was announced in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

The promotion was conducted through “Famtrip Marine Maratua 2026” from August 10 to 15, 2026. The program introduced Maratua's marine tourism, which is located in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, potential to dive centers from both countries.

Vice Minister of Tourism for Tourism Marketing, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, said the program strengthened Maratua's international tourism position. She said participants could experience diving, accommodation, and other tourism products directly.

“Through this famtrip, the dive centers can directly see and experience various tourism experiences offered in Maratua, from diving potential, accommodation, to other tourism experiences. We hope this experience can become a reference for them to include Maratua in the tour packages they offer in the Malaysian and Singaporean markets,” she said.

During the six-day program, participants explored three days of diving across nine diving sites. They also visited Goa Gumantung, enjoyed sunset views at Teluk Harapan, and inspected several accommodations.

The itinerary also included Kampung Dayak Tumbit, introducing participants to local culture and products. These experiences positioned Maratua beyond diving, combining nature, culture, and local community life.

Assistant Deputy for Foreign Tourism Marketing Development I, Dedi Ahmad Kurnia, described Malaysia and Singapore as strategic tourism markets. He said their visitor numbers offer opportunities for specialized tourism, including marine and diving tourism.

“Malaysia and Singapore are very strategic markets for Indonesian tourism, not only in terms of visitor numbers, but also opportunities to develop various tourism segments. One of them is special-interest tourism such as diving,” he said.

Statistics Indonesia recorded 1,361,772 Malaysian visits and 739,721 Singaporean visits through June 2026. The government expects stronger industry partnerships to expand Maratua packages and generate wider benefits for local businesses.