In keeping with Lombok’s growing reputation as one of Indonesia’s emerging tourism destinations, plans have been unveiled for unparalleled development on the island.
The project in question is being referred to as a ‘mega resort’, comprising numerous hotels, facilities and attractions in the Mandalika area of the island.
Among the hotels brands slated to open are Pullman, Club Med, Royal Tulip, Marriott and InterContinental. About 1,500 hotel rooms are expected to be operational by 2018, said Edwin Darmasetiawan, development director at the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).
The Indonesia state-owned firm working on tourism development in the Mandalika special economic zone (KEK) in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, is progressing with its plans to revamp infrastructure in the region, including access roads, water treatment facilities and solar power plants. These initial developments will pave the way for some of the biggest investment ever seen in Lombok’s tourism sector.
The ambitious project from the ITDC also sets out their plan to involve and empower the local people of Lombok, creating around 5,000 new jobs and offering various empowerment programmes, especially for those who lived in the Mandalika area. These include English language courses and hospitality training.
Construction of the Mandalika Grand Mosque has also begun, helping to make the KEK Mandalika a Muslim-friendly destination and contribute further to the local community.
