READY FOR BUSINESS: East Kalimantan’s Juwata International Airport is expected to boost development of Trarakan Island’s tourism industry. A memorandum of understanding has just been signed with the Bali Tourism Board in its bid to increase awareness of the island as a tourist destination. (JP/Wasti Atmodjo)

Few have heard of Tarakan, an island located off East Kalimantan's north, but developers there are confident it will one day be known as Indonesia's "Little Singapore" and are looking to Bali's success story to realize their dream.

The Bali Tourism Board (BTB) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tarakan municipality administration to increase awareness of the island as a tourist destination, including by advertising the location in Bali's promotional forays, such as websites, road shows and in brochures.

"The potential for tourism in Tarakan may well complement Bali's tourism industry and other tourism spots in Indonesia," BTB spokesperson Sang Putu Subaya told The Jakarta Post during a visit to Tarakan.

"The more varied and numerous our offers, the more interested tourists become in visiting Indonesia," he said.

Tarakan is approximately a third the size of Singapore and is home to 180,000 year rounders.

The slogan "Little Singapore", which was pushed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during his visit to Tarakan, derives from the island's original function as a transit point for people entering and exiting Indonesia.

Tarakan's municipal administration has imposed some of Singapore's stringent hygiene regulations, including a strict waste-disposal system that requires that residents separate organic from inorganic garbage.

The island last year won the Adipura award for excellence in environmental management.

To support a surge in tourist numbers, the administration has built a 45-kilometer road that recalls Jakarta's famous Thamrin boulevard as well as the newly completed Juwata International Airport.

The Bali Tourism Board has said it will promote Tarakan in international events such as the annual Bali Arts Festival, which runs from June to July every year, and assist in developing the island's tourism workforce by training tourist guides and restaurant staff.

I Gede Putu Erawati of the Bali chapter of the Association of Indonesian Travel Agencies (ASITA), said Tarakan was similar to Bali in terms of cultural attraction.

She listed a number of potential tourist attractions on the island, including the Round House -- a defensive structure built by the Australian armed forces; the Japanese Crematory Monument, Loghraf (an air-raid bunker) and the Tidung tribe traditional home.

"The promotions must be as inviting as possible, including prices, because Tarakan is a relatively new destination despite its legacy of being a transit port to the Kalimantan region," Erawati said.

She said Tarakan was also like Bali in that it had beautiful sand beaches -- including Amal Lama and Amal Baru, adding that they were a crucial element in the tourism development plan, and could be incorporated into projects such as the planned Waterboom park.

Furthermore, the island's mangrove forests, its resident bekantan (a species of monkey) and the Karungan waterfall could be developed into major attractions for tourists seeking natural surroundings.

And if Tarakan is not enough, she said, tourists can visit the Derawan islands -- a world class diving destination home to 347 known species of marine wildlife and 222 types of coral, which is a two-and-a-half-hour boat ride from Tarakan.

"The sightseeing is incredible, the cleanliness is impeccable, the seafood is amazing and the accommodation is ready. Now all they need is proper packaging for all these tourist attractions," Erawati said.

She said Tarakan could become an alternative destination when Bali was overcrowded during peak season.

"Most tourists who cannot find accommodation in Bali get re-routed to Yogyakarta or Lombok. Tarakan in this sense can become a new destination partner for Bali," she said.

She said for the island to succeed as a tourist destination, airlines must launch new direct routes linking the island to Bali.

Currently, passengers traveling between the islands must connect in Balikpapan and Surabaya.

Mandala Airlines Public Relations officer, Luna Margareth, said her airline was already in talks to launch a direct service.

Tarakan Mayor Jusuf S.K. said he hoped his administration's cooperation with BTB would help navigate Tarakan into the international spotlight.

"I hope this will become more than just a cooperation in promotions, but also a lesson in how we can manage this city and improve ourselves by providing world class services," he said.

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