The government believes that the tourism sector is the main economic sector that will be able to rebound quickly.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry has built 398 homestays to support the development of the Mandalika Super Priority Tourism Destination (DPSP) in Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province.

"The government believes that the tourism sector is the main economic sector that will be able to rebound quickly," PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said in a written statement received here on Tuesday.

Hence, the ministry has renovated a number of residents' houses to make them suitable for serving as homestays so that the local community can also take advantage of tourism, he informed.

The facilities are also expected to serve as alternative lodgings for tourists seeking to visit the area during the 2021 World Superbike event on November 19-21, 2021 and the 2022 MotoGP event, which is planned to be held in February 2022, he said.

Director General of Special Housing at the ministry Yusniewati informed that the ministry has also provided special housing assistance to residents affected by the construction of the Mandalika International Street Circuit.

Related news: PUPR Ministry completes development of Mandalika Bike Park in NTB

"The construction of the homestays has brought a positive impact on the community as the people's houses that previously were less suitable for habitation have become comfortable," she said.

A total of 915 houses were renovated around the tourism destination area, she added.

Of the total homes, 300 units were in Central Lombok district and 98 units in North Lombok district, she informed.

The remaining 517 units were renovated to improve the quality of the less-suitable homes along the access to the Mandalika area, she added.

Furthermore, the ministry has also continued to carry out the structuring in the other four DPSP Areas of Lake Toba (North Sumatera Province), Borobudur Temple (Central Java Province), Labuan Bajo (East Nusa Tenggara Province), and Manado – Likupang (North Sulawesi province), she said.

Related news: Deputy Minister: Mandalika Circuit can help push Lombok tourism

Translator: Aji Cakti, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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