Not Only The Circuit, ITDC Wants To Make Horse Racing In Mandalika

Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI

JAKARTA - PT Pembangunan Pariwisata Indonesia or Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) will add new attractions, namely equestrian estate in the special economic area (KEK) Mandalika, Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Later, in the area there will be horse racing.

ITDC President Director Ari Respati revealed that the initial proposal was actually only limited to a horse race covering an area of 25 hectares. However, investors ask for land expansion because they want to make this location not just a horse race, but a complete equestrian area with various supporting facilities such as villas.

"25 hectares are not much different from the circuit, in fact the information may be added because he (the investor) wants to make it like in a savana, there is a villa, it doesn't matter," he said at a media briefing, in Jakarta, Tuesday, August 8.

The development of this area, said Ari, proves that the Mandalika SEZ has an attraction for investors after successfully holding various international events such as MotoGP to WSBK.

The plan, said Ari, is that the first horse racing event will be held in Mandalika in May 2024 which will be attended by a number of jockeys from various countries. As for the development of this new destination, 100 percent comes from domestic investors.

Investors from within the country. One month there will be an agreement press conference, because yesterday was just Mou. Already closed deal and God willing, it will be announced next month," he said.

Meanwhile, ITDC Business Development Director Ema Widiastuti revealed that equestrian estate is one of a number of ITDC business development plans in Mandalika.

Furthermore, Ema said the move was also in line with the government's efforts to encourage Mandalika as a destination that prioritizes sports and entertainment or sports and entertainment.

What do people do when they go to Mandalika? Now that is the reason why the development of attractions will be added there," he said.

On the other hand, said Ema, business development in the attractor sector can also open up opportunities for investors to invest in Mandalika. He believes this new attraction will attract more tourist visits to come to Mandalika.

"There are several interested ones, ranging from developing golf courses, horse racing, mini malls, tennis, water sports, and also football academies," he said.

The development of this area, continued Ema, also has an impact on job opening. For example, labor absorption at the Pullman Mandalika hotel which reaches 400-500 people, or a mini mall plan that requires around 300 workers.

"So this is not just a horse race, but there is a horse house, there is maintenance, maybe there are around 80 horses. One horse needs three to four people to care for, multiplied by 80 horses, it absorbs quite a lot of workforce," he explained.