Central Lombok, W Nusa Tenggar (ANTARA) - The district head of Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, has said that his administration will prepare a cruise ship for tourists to anticipate any accommodation shortage during the MotoGP event at the Mandalika Circuit.
"The cruise ship is planned to be docked at Awang Harbor," Lalu Pathul Bahri informed here on Tuesday.
The cruise ship will be able to accommodate two thousand people so that any lack of lodging in Lombok can be overcome, he said.
In addition, the central government will prepare speed boats for the Bali-Lombok crossing in order to facilitate access for spectators staying outside Lombok, he added.
"Speed boats will also be prepared in a bid to support the MotoGP event," he informed.
The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment has also requested that homestays located around the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and tourist villages be upgraded to two-star hotel standards, Bahri said.
"Many things have to be prepared to support the MotoGP event, such as the existence of homestays in the five supporting villages around the Mandalika Circuit," he added.
The number of spectators at the MotoGP event is predicted to reach 150 thousand, he noted. Meanwhile, only 16 thousand rooms are available for lodging tourists in West Nusa Tenggara, he said. Therefore, tourists are expected to stay outside Lombok, he added.
The Mandalika International Circuit, spanning 4.3 kilometers and 17 bends, is set to host the MotoGP event in March 2022. In addition, the circuit will also host the IATC and WSBK 2022 racing events.
