Atop the windy hills, several tourists could be seen getting ready to fly with paragliding athletes and take in the panoramic views of hills, beaches, and the sea.
Owing to their beauty, the Lancing Hills have become a veritable tourist magnet in Central Lombok. They are popular among paragliding enthusiasts given their height, windy weather, and proximity to the exotic white sand beach of Kuta.
No wonder the tourism spot is also known as Sky Lancing.
Paragliding is a type of aerial sport that requires practitioners to foot-launch themselves with some kind of parachute from high ground into the air for either recreational or competitive purposes.
At Sky Lancing, tourists are offered an opportunity to fly alongside professional paragliding pilots to gaze not only at Kuta Beach but also Selong Belanak Beach, Mawun Beach, Tampa Beach, Torok Aik Belek Beach, and the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean.
Sky Lancing is not the only destination Central Lombok has in store for those seeking to get away from fatigue and routines. The home district of Lombok International Airport also offers a host of white sand beaches such as Kuta and the unique tourism village of Sade.
Sade village is located in Rembitan, Pujut sub-district, just a couple hundred meters from the famous Mandalika SEZ.
This tourism jewel is known for the traditional houses of the Sasak tribe that are built using bamboo, clay, and weeds. Interestingly, the locals use cow or buffalo dung to clean the floors of their houses.
Most of the villagers rely on the income they generate from weaving, a skill that has been passed down from one generation to the next. The woven products are sold within the village.
The Sasak people are also known for "Bau Nyale," a traditional activity that revolves around catching sea worms believed to be the incarnation of Princess Mandalika.
The worms tend to emerge only once a year, often in February or March. People usually carry out this tradition at Seger Beach in Mandalika SEZ.
The SEZ also offers sports tourism attractions at the Mandalika International Circuit, which has hosted national and international races, including the 2022, 2023, and 2024 editions of the Indonesia MotoGP.
It is worth noting that the 2024 Mandalika MotoGP, held from September 27–29, recorded 120 thousand spectators in total, pointing to the Indonesian government's success in introducing and developing sports tourism in the country.
Moreover, this year's spectator count far exceeded that recorded in 2022 and 2023, which stood at 102,801 and 102,929, respectively
According to the contract signed with Dorna Sports, the Mandalika International Circuit will continue to hold MotoGP races at least until 2031, with the next one scheduled for October 3–5 next year.
In addition to the prestigious motorbike championship, the circuit has also hosted a variety of international, regional, and national events, such as the Superbike World Championship, Asian Talent Cup, Asian Road Racing Championship, and Mandalika Racing Series.
Those coming south of Central Lombok to spectate the MotoGP race can make the most of their visit by exploring and embracing the beautiful scenery offered by nearby tourism spots, such as Kuta Beach, Merese Hill, and Seger Hill and Beach.
The attractions are just 15 minutes away from the circuit by road.
Central Lombok is among the five administrative regions that form the island of Lombok, which stands as one of the two major islands of NTB province. The district, which has its seat of government in Praya, is inhabited by around 1.09 million people.
This year, the NTB provincial government is targeting to draw at least 2.5 million tourists. As of September, the tourist count had crossed 2 million. Nature, cultural, and sports tourism have been the top contributors to the province's tourist numbers.
Central Lombok does wield huge potential to transform into a global-level tourist choice, thanks to the wide range of tourism destinations it offers.
It is, however, crucial for the central and regional governments to keep in mind the importance of providing and maintaining adequate and proper facilities and infrastructure to provide tourists with the best experiences.
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Translator: Akhyar R, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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