LOMBOK – The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Republic of Indonesia, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said he would prepare IDR 5.8 trillion for the construction of the sea highway to speed up tourists heading to the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This was conveyed to the media crew at Media Center Indonesia, Sunday (5/3/2023).
“Our infrastructure will be complete because this government will end in October next year, we want to improve destinations like Mandalika, what is lacking, we have allocated additional funds of IDR 5.8 trillion,” he said.
Sandiaga said one of the facilities he wanted to build was a tourist port that could speed up tourists who wanted to visit either from Sanur in Bali or three Gilis in North Lombok.
It is hoped that this plan will make it easier for tourists in a number of places to visit Mandalika when there are major events such as WSBK, so there is no need to travel overland after crossing to Lombok Island.
“Later, the plan is to have a fast ship from Sanur to Mandalika and some of equipment we need here,” he said
Meanwhile, Head of West Nusa Tenggara Tourism Office, Jamaluddin Maladi added that there is a plan for port facilities to be built in Mandalika Area which are expected to be a solution when air transportation ticket prices are expensive.
“Now, our sea transportation in Mandalika does not have a pier, there is a pier but it is not yet safe, so the KSOP of Director General of Sea Transportation does not give permission for fast boats coming from Bali,” he said
Jamal hopes that with the shortcut route sea transportation, tourists will be able to get Mandalika more quickly, and don’t have to take hours by land.
“That’s why the toll road has to be sea toll so it’s cheaper. Many tourists on dyke want to watch at Mandalika. If you go by land, if it’s busy, it can take 4 hours, but if you go by sea, use a fast boat, it only takes 2 hours to arrive,” he said.(nis/s)
