LOMBOK ISLAND
Indonesia’s next hot-spot for tourism and investment
LOMBOK IS SMOULDERING VISTAS
Long overlooked and almost entirely untouched, Lombok - much like Bali 30 years ago - is a land of rugged natural beauty, rich traditional culture, and a peaceful island lifestyle. Lombok is in the region of West Nusa Tenggara and has been a hidden gem, a tropical island paradise away from crowds, popular for surfing, diving and trekking Indonesia’s second highest volcano - Mount Rinjani.
In 2017 Indonesia President Joko Widodo declared Lombok and nine other regions, the 10 “New Bali’s,”- the up-and-coming hotspots. With that, Lombok, and specifically the Kuta Beach region in the south, is about to enter the world scene with billions of dollars of funding for infrastructure and development. The real estate values surrounding this market are set to explode, with much of the lands currently untouched.
Mandalika Resort Project
The Tourism Ministry has pledged over US$65 million, to grow the Kuta Beach region’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) market, and potential for hosting large-scale events, corporate meetings and exhibitions. The first and largest endeavour is the Mandalika Resort Project, a US$3 billion development on the southern edge of Lombok. Currently under construction on a 1,175-hectare plot of land, the Mandalika will house 12,000 hotel rooms, with brands such as Pullman, Paramount Resort, Club Med, Grand Mercure Hotel. There will also be 350,000m2 of commercial space, a 78-berth yacht marina, a water park, and theme park within the destination.
Local governments mandate new tourism builds to have 51% dedicated ‘green space’ for preservation of the land and culture. With Mandalika, there will not only be an eco-park and green spaces, but also solar energy farms and Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plants for desalination and clean drinking water in the Kuta region. The area also plans for an electric light rail train and cable cars, continuing the push for public transportation in developed regions of Indonesia.
MOTOGP comes to Lombok
Kuta Beach will also be centrestage in 2021, when the region plays host to the MotoGP, Indonesia’s first world-class racing event in more than two decades. The monumental deal was signed in January 2019 with Dorna Sports the MotoGP operator, with construction started in October 2019 on the 4.32 - kilometer street circuit race track winding through the South Lombok region. Build of the track is a partnership between the ITDC and France’s Vinci Construction Grand Projects, for US$ 1-billion deal for a 15-year development of the race track , underground utilities system, roads and highways, as well as a hotel and hospital along the course. The race is expected to draw more than 150,000 spectators and a global audience of over 430 million.
