Transformative projects including a MotoGP circuit are among ideas to revitalise Lombok and bring about positive benefits to its people and visitors alike - as long as the development and community building is managed sustainably. In the second of our Beyond the Cracks series, Mallika Naguran reports.
Mataram, Lombok, 13 January 2020. With tourism numbers plunging since the devastating earthquakes in July and August 2018, the people of Lombok are hungry for jobs. Tourism being a major industry sector means that residents’ livelihoods and skill sets should soon grow with new openings, perspectives and draws.
In 2021, Mandalika MotoGP would join the 19 present Grand Prix circuits globally.
As part of this, Lombok’s upcoming MotoGP event will be the highlight in a series of development projects within Mandalika, a large-scale integrated tourism estate on the island. People living in the south of Lombok are primed to enjoy an economic boost, Gaia Discovery understands from a private briefing held in Lombok, Indonesia last November.
The economic development is planned to be sustainably managed through various aspects of tourism such as sports, parks and entertainment, beaches, nature-based activities and community-based hospitality.
Indonesia announced it will welcome MotoGPand the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in 2021 onto the island of Lombok. A signing ceremony was conducted by Mr Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of DORNA and Mr Abdulbar M. Mansoer, CEO of ITDC at DORNA’s office in Madrid, Spain on the 28th January 2019. Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation or ITDC is Indonesia’s largest integrated tourism developer and operator. The state-owned enterprise leases government land to private entities such as hotels, food and beverage outlets, and has been operating for nearly five decades.
The deal is sealed between DORNA and ITDC—MotoGP comes to Lombok in 2021 and the circuit at Mandalika is being built. Photo: ITDC
DORNA holds the franchise for 19 grandprix MotoGP races around the world. Within Asia, there are only three hosts presently – Malaysia, Thailand and Japan. As of 2021, Indonesia will join the regional list. Lombok’s motorcycle sports event would be the first “street circuit” with 4.32km of roads built that will also be open to the public within the new Mandalika tourism destination. As many as 150,000 spectators are expected to enjoy the thrill of fast bikes as they go around 18 corners watched from the safety and comfort of five grandstands.
ITDC and their partners studied several existing circuits before arriving at their own street circuit design, which is modeled after Philip Island’s track in Australia.
ITDC successfully managed the transformation of Nusa Dua in Bali, which was 300 hectares of “very dry land”, according to spokesperson Rannie Kamil. Mandalika, which is nearly four times the size of Nusa Dua at 1,175 hectares of land in Lombok, is next on their list.
To make the land more liveable, a water treatment plant was installed at Nusa Dua that operates on desalination method using seawater. This water is sold to hotels for them to service their guests. A water pond has organically grown to become a nature habitat and has attracted migratory birds. An ecotourism vision has been projected for greater Lombok on a similar if not broader scale.
Ecotourism in Mandalika
Situated east of Bali, Lombok, at 4,514 square kilometers, has much to offer by way of nature-based tourism. Its forests are home to thousands of wildlife species. Trekking, waterfall bathing, mountain climbing and biking are just some of the activities that are popular at Mount Rinjani.
Trekking to bathe in a few of the waterfalls at Mount Rinjani is a popular nature-based tourism activity in Lombok. Picture: Gaia Discovery
Mandalika’s development masterplan also has a zone specifically for ecotourism. In the southeast, mangroves will be preserved, and as much as 70 hectares will be set aside for mangrove conservation, which the public will have access to for educational and leisure purposes.
Infrastructure to enable beach walks has been completed in stage one of development. There are five beaches stretching along 16km of Lombok’s southern coastline, rimming clear waters, for swimming and picnics.
A bazaar that serves small and local enterprises has also been completed within the compound of an area set aside for hotels and hospitality operators.
Although Lombok’s airport allows international visitors to get to the south of the island within 30 minutes, a new express road will be constructed connecting the airport to Mandalika. This is part of preparing Lombok as a “super priority tourism destination” in Indonesia.
Mandalika masterplan includes plenty of tourism and hospitality offerings in the south of Lombok. Photo: ITDC
Community-based tourism
Community-based tourism will also be a key feature of Mandalika development, according to Rannie. A component of this is turning residential homes into homestays as temporary hosted accommodation for tourists and visitors to Mandalika especially during the MotoGP event
Songket weaving is a way of life for Lombok women. Photo: Gaia Discovery
The idea of creating homestays came from ITDC observing Thailand; local villagers converted their homes into temporary stays during the local motor racing event there. Gaia Discovery understands that villagers will be offered training in preparation for the task ahead.
But therein lies the challenge. The hospitality standards that go with a world class event like MotoGP would demand stringent practices and preparations by Lombok’s residents who have no background whatsoever in entertaining tourists. Along with physical provisions, the need to communicate fluently in English and other international languages should be flagged as an urgent component within the training modules.
Visitors to MotoGP could definitely take the opportunity to explore Lombok’s sights and attractions. The cultural offering of Lombok is indeed unique especially with the Sasak woven cloths such as the songket and pottery. Numerous tours are there that take tourists to villages, boutiques and emporiums. The warmth of the people and their smiles certainly make tourists feel at home.
The opportunities for Lombok are certainly there with Mandalika’s bright and shiny “sportatainment” and ecotourism plans on the horizon, as long as ITDC ensures that the development gains the support of residents and that tourism growth is managed sustainably.
Read about the Sasak culture in the first article of Beyond the Cracks series on Lombok.
How to Get to Lombok
At the time of writing, there are direct flights to Lombok’s international airport i.e. Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport (IATA: LOP) from Singapore (via SilkAir) and Perth (via AirAsia). Lombok international airport is located in southwest Lombok.
Or connect via Bali. From Bali, flights from Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali) (IATA: DPS) to Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport (Lombok) (IATA: LOP) take about 40 minutes.
From the airport it takes about 1.5 hours drive to reach Senggigi main tourist areas in the west Lombok. For those heading to the Gili Islands, take a two-hour drive to the jetty of Teluk Nara. It takes about 30 minutes drive to Kuta south Lombok.
Reduce your carbon footprint by sea travel. Public ferries depart from Padang Bai (Southeast Bali) and Lembar (Southwest Lombok) every hour, taking a minimum of 4–5 hours to make the crossing in either direction.
Fastboat services are available from various departure points on Bali and principally serve the Gili Islands, with some significant onward traffic to the Lombok mainland. Arrival points on Lombok are dependent upon the operator, at either Teluk Nare/Teluk Kodek, Bangsal harbour or the township of Senggigi, all on the northwest coast. Operating standards vary widely.
This trip was made possible with the sponsorship of Indonesia Tourism.