Manado is the capital city of Sulawesi Utara, and is home to Sam Ratulangi University, one Indonesia's most important centers for marine research and education.  The city is just now becoming recognized as an attractive location for tourism, and development is immanent.  Already, several small resorts and homestays have opened, particularly on the island of Bunaken, the centerpoint of Bunaken Sea Garden, a national park and marine sanctuary.  Travellers are permitted to dive and engage in other marine recreation in certain areas of the preserve, so long as they respect rules of conservation and responsible conduct.  Other areas of interest to tourists around Manado include Tondano Lake, and several active volcanoes in the vicinity of Tomohon and Bitung.  Manado is accessible by air, and roundtrip transport to and from Sam Ratulangi International Airport can be arranged from most major cities of the world, connecting via Jakarta. 

   Bitung, positioned across the peninsula from Manado (about 1 hour by bus or car), is the region's primary port.  Vessels from around Indonesia, as well as from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other countries, dock here to engage in the lucrative fish trade that is sustained largely by families on Lembeh Island.  Using tradtional traps made from bamboo, fishermen catch grouper and other ocean fish to sell both in-country and overseas.  The mayor of Bitung, currently serving his second elected term, is a strong supporter of sustainable development, and is aiding efforts to modernize and regulate the fishing trade.  In addition to its role as port and fishery, Bitung is home to the Kungkungan Bay Resort, popular with prominent Indonesian citizens, as well as international travellers.