VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno invited tourists looking to watch the MotoGP race, scheduled in mid-October at the Mandalika Circuit, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, to opt for living in homestays.

"The occupancy rate of hotels is high. Hence, we would like to suggest tourists to stay in homestay and tourism villages to get unique experiences," he remarked in a discussion that was followed online in Jakarta on Monday (October 2).

Minister Uno noted that efforts to provide sufficient number of hotel rooms have met difficulties, but the government has prepared a solution by providing tourists with alternative accommodation options, such as homestays.

"We are moving fast by providing alternative accommodation facilities, such as homestay. In fact, this initiative has been well-received since many tourists are eager to stay in a distinct atmosphere," he pointed out.

The minister then expressed optimism that the existing accommodation facilities would meet the tourists' demand, adding that the number of tourists visiting Mandalika would increase by 15 percent, considering that the COVID-19 pandemic has ended.

"Since the pandemic era has ended, the number of tourists looking to spectate MotoGP is predicted to increase by 10-15 percent. However, I believe our accommodation facilities will meet the demand," he affirmed.

Earlier, Acting Head of the Central Lombok Office of Tourism, Lendek Jayadi, made similar statements.

"Spectators of MotoGP can stay in sarhunta (tourism residential facilities) and homestay as alternative accommodation options," he remarked in Central Lombok District on September 25.

He noted that the occupancy rate of sarhunta and homestay in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone had only reached 30 percent of the total 1,200 rooms available.

Meanwhile, 95 percent of the total of 1,970 hotel and villa rooms in the zone had been booked by spectators, racers, and crew of the 2023 Mandalika MotoGP.

"This signifies that spectators of MotoGP still have an opportunity to book numerous available rooms of sarhunta and homestay that sit closer to the Mandalika Circuit," he concluded.

(Antara News)