Lombok’s special tourism zone to accelerate development
The Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) said it will press ahead with the long stalled development of the Mandalika special tourism and economic zone in Lombok later this year.
The multi-million dollar scheme has been beset with delays, land disputes and revisions to its scope for several years, but the ITDC is confident the ambitious plans will soon be realized and has plans to accelerate construction this year.
The project will include several hotel resorts including a Club Med, a golf course, a luxury residential development and retail outlets.
"We are developing some infrastructure in Mandalika at the moment," ITDC president director Ida Bagus Wiranjaya said.
"In August, we are hoping to begin the construction of the hotels. We also have requested more funds from the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry to further develop this zone," he added.
Ida said the ITDC has requested IDR 250 billion ($19.75 million) this year from the Ministry and the project would ultimately cost US$173.8 million to complete.
ITDC said it will set up a hospitality and tourism education centre to develop the next generation of talent for the Indonesian tourism sector.
The Mandalika project is on a 1,000 hectare plot of land near Kuta, on Lombok’s relatively underdeveloped south coast but within easy reach of the international airport.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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