The NTB provincial government's spokesperson, Ahsanul Khalik, said there is no evidence or official statement linking illegal mining to foreign tourist cancellations.
“We traced the source of the cancellation claims and found no formal statements from embassies or tourists,” Ahsanul said in Mataram on Monday.
Earlier reports cited the NTB Tourism Office saying a group of about 80 British cyclists canceled a Lombok trip over environmental concerns.
The group reportedly withdrew after learning that nearby mining activities did not follow sustainable practices, officials said.
Ahsanul emphasized the cancellation claims remain unconfirmed, with no direct communication with the tourists involved.
Tourist decisions to visit or cancel depend on security, transport access, prices, weather, service quality, and promotional reputation, he added.
“The narrative linking illegal mining to cancellations lacks strong correlation, both in field facts and scientific study,” Ahsanul said.
He noted that illegal mining and tourism are separate issues requiring different policy approaches.
Illegal mining involves law enforcement and environmental protection, while tourism focuses on economic development and public service, he said.
“Illegal mining and tourist cancellations are two distinct matters. They operate independently and do not automatically determine each other,” Ahsanul added.
NTB authorities stressed their seriousness in addressing illegal mining, which violates laws and risks environmental damage, pollution, and social conflict.
The government promotes sustainable tourism balancing economic, social, and environmental aspects, positioning the sector as a regional economic driver, job creator, and source of community enterprise growth.
The West Nusa Tenggara Tourism Office has previously set a target of attracting 2.5 million domestic and international visitors to Lombok and Sumbawa in 2025.
Tourism is a key development pillar for the province, with destinations including Mandalika, Senggigi, the Gili Islands, Moyo Island, and Mount Tambora, alongside cultural attractions such as barapan kebo.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian government has set a target of 16 million to 17.6 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2026.
It is also aiming for foreign-exchange revenue of 22 billion to 24.7 billion rupiah, with tourism’s contribution to gross domestic product rising to 4.5 percent–4.7 percent.
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Translator: Sugiharto P, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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