NTB Promotes Potential Tourism, Culinary And Cultural In The International Candidate

JAKARTA - West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) continues to attract the world's attention with natural charm, distinctive culture, and appetizing culinary wealth.

Through a variety of leading tourist destinations such as Mandalika, the richness of the Sasak weaving tradition, to the taste of local cuisine, NTB has great potential to become a magnet for tourists and international investors.

In order to promote this wealth, the Governor of NTB Lalu Muhamad Iqbal assessed that the implementation of the Indonesia Gastroplomacy Series (IGS) was a strategic moment to introduce NTB potential to the global arena, starting from the tourism, cultural, and investment sectors.

This event is the right means to show the world a variety of typical NTB culinary delights. Through food, we can establish closeness with international guests, while at the same time fostering their interest in visiting or even investing," he said as quoted by ANTARA.

He hopes that the delegates can experience firsthand the cultural wealth and uniqueness of the NTB culinary, so as to be able to encourage local economic growth and increase the number of foreign tourist visits.

This is not just serving food, but also presenting a memorable cultural experience. Let's take advantage of this moment to build a valuable connection," he added at a dinner reception in the Senggigi tourist area, West Lombok, Thursday (8/5) night.

The chairman of the Delegation who is also an Expert Staff for Social Culture and Empowerment of Indonesian Society Abroad, Ambassador R. Heru Hartanto Subolo, emphasized that NTB holds great wealth in the agricultural, tourism, and local community traditions that should be promoted more widely.

"For the next three days, we will provide space for NTB to showcase the potential and network of cooperation that has been prepared. This will also be an opportunity to introduce new investment partners," he explained.

The dinner was opened with Nguri Dance as a symbol of welcoming the guest of honor. Followed by Dedare Nyesek's Dance which depicts the daily life of the village girl while weaving, as well as introducing the traditions and cultural heritage of Lombok.

During four days in Lombok, 38 ambassadors of friendly countries and spouses and diplomatic tour participants will be invited to explore various sides of NTB. The activity includes visits to the NTB Museum and the historic area of Kota Tua Ampenan, getting to know local wisdom in the Bilebante Tourism Village, and interacting with MSME players at NTB Mall. Delegation is also scheduled to discuss directly with the Governor regarding economic potential and investment in the province.

In the Mandalika area, guests will explore opportunities for cooperation in the tourism sector with ITDC, as well as witness the Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia 2025.

The Indonesia Gastroplomacy Series program itself is a leading initiative of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs which aims to promote the Nusantara culinary as a means of cultural dialogue, economic diplomacy, as well as increasing international cooperation. The special edition of the Diplomatic Tour Goes to West Nusa Tenggara this time is part of concrete efforts to boost the trade sector, tourism, and NTB investment.