Optimizing the Potential of Miang Island Through the Creation of Information Signs and Tourist Maps in Miang Island Village, Sangkulirang District, East Kutai Regency

Optimalisasi Potensi Pulau Miang Melalui Pembuatan Plang Informasi dan Peta Wisata di Desa Pulau Miang Kecamatan Sangkulirang Kabupaten Kutai Timur 

Abstract

A community service program has been carried out in Pulau Miang Village, Sangkulirang District, Kutai Timur Regency, East Kalimantan Province. Tourism is one of the leading sectors that contributes significantly to regional development, both economically, socially, and culturally. Pulau Miang Village, located in Sangkulirang District, Kutai Timur Regency, is known for its marine natural beauty and rich local culture, which hold great potential to be developed as a tourism destination. This potential includes coral reef ecosystems, Gusung Sappalage, the educational tourism icon “Patung Baca,” coastal culinary specialties, and exclusive marine attractions such as the appearance of whale sharks. However, to date, the management and dissemination of tourism information in this village remain limited, causing most tourists to focus only on lodging areas or snorkeling activities without exploring the diversity of other existing destinations. This applied research was conducted to address the problem of limited information through the development of information boards and a tourism map. The research methods included field surveys, tourism potential mapping, documentation of key destinations, and participatory coordination with the village government and the Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis). Program implementation involved determining strategic points for board installation at the main docks, designing a visually based tourism map, and installing information media accessible to visitors. The presence of information boards and tourism maps is expected to improve the accessibility and distribution of tourism information, encourage diversified visits, and strengthen the promotion of local potentials that were previously less recognized. Furthermore, the program not only enhances tourists’ experiences but also contributes directly to the local community, particularly in creating new business opportunities in transportation, culinary, and creative industries based on local handicrafts. This program also strengthens the role of Pokdarwis as the main driver of community-based tourism. Implicitly, this study emphasizes that tourism maps function not only as navigation tools but also as strategic instruments in supporting inclusive, participatory, and sustainable tourism development. Through more effective information dissemination, Pulau Miang has the potential to become a leading tourism destination that can enhance regional attractiveness while simultaneously improving the sustainable welfare of the local community.