Rising optimism: Mandalika’s Tourism Pulse Grows

by Ismail Zakaria

Mandalika hasn’t hit the jackpot yet, but things are looking up. Small steps are being made, and everyone is feeling optimistic about the future of this Kawasan Ekonomi Khusus pariwisata or Tourism Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

On a sunny Saturday around May, 2023, a guest checked into the Pullman Lombok Merujani Mandalika Beach Resort. He was a bit lost, so Johan Perdana, the friendly receptionist, helped him out.

Johan answered the guest’s questions with ease, and the traveler left with a smile. “He wanted to know what he could do during his stay,” Johan said.

When we met Johan, he handles check-ins and check-outs every day at the resort in Kuta, Central Lombok. He’s been doing that job for two months.

“Before, I worked as a phone operator for ten months. Now, at the front desk, we’re not just checking people in and out; we’re like information centers. We have to be experts on our products,” said Johan, who lives in Ketara Village.

Johan joined Pullman Lombok when it was just opening in August 2022. He was finishing his English degree at the University of Mataram. “This is my dream job. I studied English because I wanted to work in tourism. Now, I’m a permanent employee,” he said, adding that he’s still waiting to graduate.

Johan is learning and growing professionally, and he’s open to new ideas. Johan’s career took a big turn when he moved from operator to receptionist. It was a huge growth for him, both personally and professionally. He admits that adjusting to a fast-paced environment was tough.

“The pace was a shock at first. We young folks are usually used to a more relaxed vibe,” he said. “The key is accountability; if I mess up, I have to fix it quickly.”

Working with international guests has also broadened his horizons. “I’ve become more open-minded. I’ve learned about discipline and respecting others no matter their race or culture,” Johan noted.

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Financially, the job has been a game-changer. Johan’s parents are farmers, so he’s now financially independent. “I don’t rely on them anymore. In fact, I can even send money home to them every month!”

His enthusiasm is contagious. In his hometown, more young people are joining tourism vocational schools and the Lombok Tourism Polytechnic (Poltekpar Lombok) in Praya, seeing the SEZ as a great career path.

In 2014, the Mandalika area in Indonesia became a SEZ since 2020, things have really picked up! It’s now one of the country’s five “Destinasi Super Prioritas,” joining places like Lake Toba, Borobudur, Labuan Bajo, and Likupang.

Mandalika is in Kuta Village, Pujut District, Central Lombok, about 55 kilometers southeast of Mataram, the capital of West Nusa Tenggara.

The Mandalika SEZ started out as a place for marine tourism, with beautiful beaches and amazing underwater life. But now, it’s become a top spot for sports tourism, especially with the Mandalika International Circuit.

Before the circuit, Mandalika was just a regular tourist spot in Lombok, often overshadowed by places like Senggigi or the Gili Islands. Back then, it was mostly visited by locals.

But things changed when construction on the circuit started. People started to take notice of the area, and once the track was ready and hosted the World Superbike (WSBK) championship, Mandalika became a global superstar. Now, after the MotoGP events were a huge success, it’s officially become a major tourist destination.

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Sweet Success in the Kitchen

Sri (not her real name), a culinary arts graduate from Poltekpar Lombok, has a similar success story. She works in the hotel’s pastry department right now.

“I used to work in a café in Mandalika, but I stayed hidden in the kitchen. Here, I have to interact with guests and chat about the pastries we serve,” Sri said.

She credits her seniors for mentoring her from scratch. Beyond technical skills, she’s embraced the discipline of the hospitality industry. “I have to wake up early to prepare everything for breakfast, but I’m happy here. The environment, the people, and the salary are all great.”

Sri said that during the pandemic, she barely made enough to survive. Now, she can support herself, help her parents, and even buy some jewelry. “I want to open my own pastry business someday,” she added.

Prioritizing Local Talent

Budi Wahjono, former the General Manager of Pullman Lombok, stressed that developing staff is a top priority for the Accor network.

“We offer comprehensive training, covering everything from communication skills to ‘winning the guest’s heart,’” Budi explained. 

He emphasized the importance of involving the local community. “Why look elsewhere when we have talented locals? In other regions, local employment might only reach 30 persen, but in Lombok, the number of skilled laborers is increasing thanks to local tourism schools.”

For those without prior experience, the hotel organizes community outreach programs to introduce them to the industry and generate interest in formal training.

While the impact of the Mandalika SEZ may seem gradual at first, for workers like Johan and Sri, the transformation is already happening—paving the way for a significant economic shift in the future.

Editor: Tyson Michael Burnett.