Dozen yachts berthed at Gili Gede

W Lombok, W Nusa Tenggara, (Antaranews NTB) - A total of 18 yachts owned by foreigners have been berthed at Gili Gede in West Nusa Tenggara based on monthly payment.

"They pay US$110 per month for one yacht," general manager of PT Marina Del Ray, Puri Yusuf, said in Sekotong here on Saturday.

PT Marina Del Ray, whose shares are owned by an Australian investor, is currently developing an international-class marina for yachts to birth at Gili Gede Indah waters in the sub-district of Sekotong.

The company has completed the licensing process and so has been allowed to use Gili Gede waters for yacht parking.

Puri said yacht owners from various countries felt secure to have their boats birthed there even for months.

"They have returned to their home countries by plane before touring Lombok for several days," he said.

He said the company is currently building a restaurant to serve foreign visitors eho came by yachts.

The restaurant is not exclusively for foteigners but it is also intended for domestic tourists who come to Gili Gede, he said adding that the isle in Sekotong has been visited by a lot of people from home and abroad every year.

Even 25 members of "Atlantic Rally Cruises" members from Europe and Asia who like travelling around the world plan to come by yacht to Gili Gede in October this year, he said.

"We also plan to develop a four-star hotel with a capacity of 50 rooms in line with the regional government`s regulation allowing only two-storey buildings," he said.

Puri said if the Gili Gede international marina is operational it will give economic impact on the local people as marina will need supporting facilities such as fuel station, electricity and water processing plant.

Local fishermen could later also work by transporting tourists who wish to go to land while others could also provide other services.

"It is promising for Indonesia as well as the region. We follow existing business schemes in the world but will also adherevto Indonesian regulations," he said.

Deputy for natural resources and service coordination of the office of the coordinating minister for maritime affairs, Agung Kuswandono, said investors were waiting for the completion of Gili Gede marina.

"Investors who wish to develop marinas in several provinces are waiting for the completion of Gili Gede marina," he said when visiting Gili Gede on Thursday.

He said his office would ease process for investors wishing to build marinas as the government wishes to develop more than 400 marinas across the country to increase arrivals of foreign tourists.

Reported by Awaludin
(*)