VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Four tourist locations namely Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Mandalika (West Nusa Tenggara), Borobudur (Central Java) and Labuan Bajo (East Nusa Tenggara) could be developed by 2020, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya has said. "There are four super priority locations namely Lake Toba, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo and Borobudur. By 2020 all infrastructure and basic utilities must be completed for attraction, access, and amenity," Yahya said after a closed-door meeting on the development of priority tourist destinations led by President Joko Widodo in Jakarta Monday.

The meeting was also attended by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, cabinet ministers, East Nusa Tenggara Governor Viktor Laiskodat, West Nusa Tenggara Governor Zulkieflimansyah, North Sulawesi Governor Olly Dondokambey, North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo.

"Lake Toba for instance, has been named by the UNESCO as Global Geo-Park. Access to Silangit airport would be improved. There is a toll road from Kualanamu (airport) to Lake Toba, and there is an investment of Rp6 trillion in 2020," the minister remarked.

Development in infrastructure will also be followed by efforts to improve the public mindset to serve tourists, North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi said.

Mandalika will be hosting the MotoGP, in 2021, which is a major event on the racing calendar, West Nusa Tenggara Governor Zulkieflimansyah said.

"Many friends have asked me whether it is possible to build a circuit quickly. In fact, we did not design a circuit, but like in Singapore and Monaco, we can use a public road as a circuit. The development will be started in October this year and is planned to be finished next year," he said.

Mandalika also has the potential to host Formula 1 racing events, the governor believes.

"The president has asked the directors of Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) to prepare the possibility of using the MotoGP circuit to host Formula 1 races. Hence we will also have to prepare for the arrival of tourists. Since June 9 there is a direct flight from Perth to Lombok, and hopefully we can also open a direct flight from Darwin, Melbourne, and Sydney for tourism," he said.

Meanwhile, the Borobudur management has created some important agenda such as the annual Borobudur Marathon, to attract more tourists, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo said.

All hotels in the region have been fully booked for the event that will be held in November 2019, he claimed.

He has also invited residents who have 1to 2 rooms with minimum international standards to accommodate tourists during the event, Ganjar said.

East Nusa Tenggara province is a rich and attractive tourist destination, including the Komodo dragon, Governor Viktor Laiskodat said. (ANTARA)