Hospitality is important to ensure that tourists are comfortable and happy.
Mataram, NTB (ANTARA) - At least 18 buffer villages around the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Central Lombok district, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), will be revitalized ahead of the MotoGP event at Mandalika Circuit, an official has said.

The head of the NTB Provincial Village Community and Government Empowerment and Civil Registration Office (DPMPD-Dukcapil), Azhari, said that the attempt is aimed at helping local residents gain maximum benefit from the event, scheduled from March 18–20, 2022, and improve their welfare.

"According to the governor’s directives, the residents of Mandalika SEZ will not only be spectators at the event, but also players who are advantaged by it," he remarked here on Thursday.

The villages that will be revitalized include Mertak, Rembitan, Prabu, Kuta, Sukadana, Tanak Awu, and Sengkol, he informed.

"We will also improve the capacity of the villages’ human resources to prepare various village-owned creative economy businesses," he said.

The involvement of rural communities in the racing event is a must, in line with President Joko Widodo's instructions that the implementation of international events must have a positive impact on the people's economy, he added.

Earlier, the heads of buffer villages had met with the NTB Governor and conveyed their aspirations, he said.

Related news: PUPR Ministry to renovate homes in Mandalika ahead of MotoGP

After the meeting, they are expected to prepare each village's economic potential, which can be promoted at the racing event, for instance, creative economy products, he added.

In addition, a competent workforce should be readied to participate in the implementation of the 2022 MotoGP, he said. It is hoped that the 18 villages will participate actively in the event, he added.

"We will prepare special tents for village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We will coordinate this with the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC)," Azhari informed.

ITDC is a state-owned enterprise that has been tasked with developing tourism in Nusa Dua, Bali province, and Mandalika, NTB province, he noted.

Furthermore, considering that the MotoGP race is drawing closer, he said he expects the village governments to start preparing to accommodate visitors soon, especially regarding the environmental management, hospitality, and security aspects.

"Hospitality is important to ensure that tourists are comfortable and happy. Thus, it will increase contentedness for visiting our province," he added.
Related news: PUPR Ministry to renovate homes in Mandalika ahead of MotoGP




Translator: Nur Imansyah, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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