According to the Trading Economics site, the number of foreign tourists arrived in Denpasar, Bali keeps on increasing for the last ten years. It was for the coronavirus that the figure dropped up to 87.44 percent. However, the plan to create another Bali in Indonesia has been decided before the pandemic comes and to quote from the Invest Islands site, below are the progress of Indonesia’s “Next Bali” that have been planned by its government since a few years back:
- Mandalika, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. One of the key points of tourism is the facilities and infrastructure. Though many adventurous people would love to explore remote places, once both of the facilities and infrastructure are built, more tourists will come. Hence, this was what the Indonesian government did to make Mandalika as one of its’ “Next Bali”. Excerpting from the Invest Islands site, Mandalika has had an international airport and a nearly-finished world-class Moto GP circuit. A few of 5-stars resorts along the Lombok bay are also under development. These all provide better facilities and infrastructure for the tourists to see the beautiful view of Lombok and its beaches then cultures.
- Borobudur Temple, Magelang, Central Java. Having been listed as one of UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage since 1995, this place may not be too foreign for international people. The growing number of visitors yearly is another proof of its’ fame. But the Indonesian government still wants to expand this location to its second’s “Next Bali”. A new international airport in southern Yogyakarta has been made to make an easier way for tourists. Another effort the tourism department has made is the development and restoration of the site.
- Lake Toba, Samosir, North Sumatra. According to Wikipedia, this lake is the largest volcanic lake in the world. It’s no wonder for this made-from-eruption lake has a length of 100 km (62 miles), a width of 30 km (19 miles), and a depth of 1600 m (5200 feet). Lake Toba is surrounded by hills, making it serves a beautiful view and cool air. This spot is also not too foreign for international people, due to its fame since a decade back. But the government has made a new international airport with expanded runaway to shorten the tourists’ hours of travel. An international yet smaller airport named Silangit has also been made to accommodate the tourists.
Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 17000 islands which also has some hidden traveling gems. It’s not a surprise that the government wants to expand and even up each island’s so that every one of it is known to the world.
