Lombok, Sumbawa set to attract more tourists

Erwida Maulia , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Thu, 07/02/2009 2:55 PM | National
West Nusa Tenggara's Lombok and Sumbawa Islands, which are renowned for their marine tourist attractions, are set to attract more visitors in the coming years as they gear up for Visit Lombok-Sumbawa 2012 campaign.

Director general for marketing at the Culture and Tourism Ministry, Sapta Nirwandar, said in Jakarta Thursday that West Nusa Tenggara, a province located adjacent to Bali, would be the focus of the ministry's tourism programs in 2012.

The Visit Lombok-Sumbawa 2012 campaign will be launched by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Lombok by the end of the week to mark the beginning of West Nusa Tenggara's campaign to double its number of visitors to 1 million in 2012.

"We want to sell tourism in West Nusa Tenggara. We want to make Lombok an established center for the pearl trade and ecotourism," Sapta told a press conference.

Often dubbed a more pristine and tranquil, some also say more beautiful, version of its neighbor Bali; Lombok and Sumbawa are home to a range of white sandy beaches and turquoise seawaters, as well as a rich variety of underwater life.

Lombok particularly is a renowned center for the production of pearl jewelry and is also home to Mount Rinjani, the second highest mountain in Indonesia and one of the best trekking spots in Asia.

Thanks for sharing that DB