Ahead Of The Mandalika MotoGP, Sandiaga Uno: 2,758 Hotel Rooms In Mataram Reserved, Bali Is Also Being Prepared As A Lodging Option

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf), Sandiaga Uno, said that the hotel occupancy or hotel occupancy rate in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), was almost 100 percent ahead of the 2022 MotoGP event.

For your information, the international racing event will be held at the Mandalika Circuit, Lombok, NTB, in March.

"As of January 3, 2022, 90 percent of hotel rooms in Mataram have been reserved for the Indonesian MotoGP in 2022. The city of Mataram itself has 2,758 hotel rooms", he said at the 'Weekly Press Briefing' event, Monday, January 10.

However, said Sandiaga, predicts that hotel occupancy will reach 100 percent soon. In addition, the government is also preparing additional homestays to accommodate MotoGP equipment.

"We have built 300 homestay facilities which are in the C HSE process. In addition, we encourage collaboration between Bobobox and Eiger including lodging. Eiger with ITDC and the local government will facilitate camping in Mandalika and 100 tents will be provided on the camping ground. One tent accommodates 4 people. Bobo Cabin is ready for cabin preparation. Restaurant toilet facilities will be encouraged", he said.

Furthermore, Sandiaga predicts that there will be 100 thousand tourists who will come to witness the MotoGP event. This includes local communities.

"It is predicted that this includes the local community of NTB. If a local who travels in Lombok and participates in the MotoGP event, he does not need a place to stay", he said.

Prioritize tourist attractions in Lombok for tourists

The former Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta said he prioritized lodging places in NTB, as accommodation for tourists who would watch the 2022 MotoGP motorcycle race event in Mandalika.

Sandiaga also said that he had prepared Bali as an option other than NTB to accommodate tourists. However, Sandiaga ensured that Lombok would be a top priority for tourists.

"If Lombok has reached a 100 percent occupancy rate, it can also accommodate its needs to live in Bali, especially for the Nusa Dua area and surrounding areas in Bali", he explained.

According to Sandiaga, his party has also collaborated with the Ministry of Transportation to provide a shuttle flight from Bali to Mandalika. He considered that this was a form of cooperation to support economic recovery.

"What needs to be provided is a shuttle flight from Bali to Mandalika which has been bundled in one package", he said.

In addition, said Sandiaga, his party is also coordinating with Pelni to provide lodging on ships both owned by Pelni and private.

"The Ministry of Transportation has coordinated the Pelni ships and we have just been informed that several private ships are willing to be lodging for MotoGP visitors, which will be equipped with transportation services such as shuttles from Mandalika", he explained.