Officials in Indonesia have announced plans to build on the success of the Indonesian MotoGP, which was held in Lombok in February. President Director of Indonesia Tourism and Development Corporations (ITDC), Abdulbar M. Mansoer believes the race venue – the Mandalika Circuit – can be a hub for international tourism and sporting events going forward.
“ITDC has signed a 10-year contract for MotoGP and World Superbike (WSBK),” confirmed Abdulbar in an interview with CNN Indonesia on Monday (28/3), “and is aiming for the world car racing series GT Asia Challenge Series 2022,” he added.
February’s MotoGP – the first held in Indonesia for 25 years – was a major success, demonstrating the country’s capacity to host stellar motor racing events to 60,000 spectators and millions more TV viewers worldwide. To build on this positive development and promote its new attraction, the Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA), is already working on expanding the annual racing schedule.
This includes a number of partnerships with the likes of Dorna Sports, who will hold the MotoGP and WSBK; and the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI), which will also hold its own racing event at the venue later this year. Now that Lombok is on the international racing map, organisers believe it can offer international visitors a full and varied schedule of attractions.
“The Mandalika Circuit is designed as a national racing event as well,” says Abdulbar. “MGPA, a subsidiary of ITDC as Race Operator-Pertamina Mandalika Circuit, will coordinate with IMI and the national racing community to set a calendar,” he confirmed. He believes that a full schedule of racing events can attract visitors from far and wide, offering Indonesian tourism an opportunity to connect with new and emerging markets through motor racing.
The Mandalika Circuit has already hosted the 2021 and 2022 Asian Talent Cups, along with the 2021 World Superbike, the 2022 MotoGP pre-season tests and the 2022 MotoGP. The venue is classified as a special economic zone (SEZ), central to government plans for tourism in the months ahead. Abdulbar commented that this location is one of many where Indonesia is investing in the future; developing stellar facilities and international-standard attractions to attract inbound tourists.
“The Lombok circuit is inseparable from efforts by the central government to develop areas outside the island of Java,” explained Abdulbar. “It will be part of the revival of national tourism and strengthen the country’s branding of Indonesia as a world-class sports tourism destination,” said the President Director.
