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The state-owned firm tasked with developing tourism in the Mandalika special economic zone (KEK) in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, says it is currently focusing on supporting infrastructure, including access roads, water treatment facilities and solar power plants.

“We have also started the construction of the Mandalika Grand Mosque to make the KEK Mandalika a Muslim-friendly destination,” said Edwin Darmasetiawan, development director at the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).

It was expected that around 1,500 hotel rooms could enter operation in 2018, Edwin said in Mataram on Thursday. Those rooms would be provided by several hotels, including Pullman, Club Med, Royal Tulip (Lee Group), Marriott by EBD Bauer and Intercontinental by PT Jiva Samudera Biru, he went on.

Edwin added that ITDC was currently carrying out various empowerment programs for Lombok people, especially those who lived in the Mandalika area. These included English language and hospitality training for vendors, drivers and security officers.

“We are working with tourism college STP Bali and NTB Tourism Polytechnic to prepare human resources, because based on our projection, the KEK Mandalika can absorb more than 5,000 workers in 2018,” he said. (ebf)