Jababeka Cikarang Area Developed into an Industrial Tourism City to Increase Regional Income

JAKARTA - Property company PT Kawasan Industri Jababeka Tbk. (KIJA) has declared the Jababeka industrial estate in Cikarang, Bekasi, West Java, as an industrial tourism city, a concept that combines manufacturing activities with educational tourism in the first integrated area ecosystem in Indonesia.

President Director of PT Grahabuana Cikarang, Ivonne Aggraini who is the developer of Jababeka said, the concept was born from the large potential of the industrial area of the region which has not only functioned as a manufacturing center, but also as a residential area, education to recreational facilities.

"Because basically in Cikarang it has 5,600 hectares of land and is the Jababeka industrial area. But, within our area, everything is integrated not only as an industry, as a manufacturing, but as a residential place, also a tourist city," said Ivonne in a press conference at the Batavia Tower, Jakarta, Friday, March 6.

Ivonne assessed that the declaration was an opportunity to strengthen Jababeka's identity as a living and dynamic industrial area, not just a production center.

"Because here are many tenants and residents in the area. There are already 2,000 factories, both local and multinational. Then there are 1.2 million people living in Cikarang," he said.

He added that the area is also a place of work for about 10,000 foreign workers from various countries, such as Japan, Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia and Europe.

Ivonne explained that the concept of industrial tourism aims to present an area that also offers recreational spaces and social interaction for the community.

In addition to being a tourist destination, the area is also designed as a learning space for students and the public to get to know the production process of the industry directly.

As part of the development of industrial tourism, continued Ivonne, the developer plans to build a Jababeka Factory Outlet that showcases various products and production processes from factories operating in the area.

Furthermore, Ivonne gave an example, the potential for industrial education that can be developed, such as student visits to food or manufacturing plants to see the production process directly.

In the future, Jababeka also plans to hold an annual industry tourism festival involving tenants from various countries, showcasing their respective cultures and creativity.

Meanwhile, the Acting Head of the Bekasi Regency Tourism Office, Andri Julianto, said the declaration was an important momentum for the transformation of industrial areas into educational tourism destinations.

Andri explained that the concept of industrial tourism allows the public, students, and tourists to see the production process and technological innovations at various companies.

Meanwhile, Bekasi Regency has great potential to develop industrial tourism because it has 11 industrial areas, including around 2,000 companies in Jababeka.

According to him, the development of industrial tourism cities also has the potential to drive regional economic growth, ranging from job creation to increasing local original income (PAD).

"We believe that the development of this industrial tourism city will have a significant impact," he said.