The Tourism Office of Central Lombok Regency has initiated the drafting of regulations aimed at improving the governance of tourism destinations and tourism villages. This effort is part of a broader initiative to enhance the quality of hospitality for visitors and to encourage more structured and sustainable tourism management across the region.
The Head of the Central Lombok Tourism Office, Lalu Muhamad Hatta, explained that the process of formulating these regulations begins with updating data on tourism destinations. This includes reviewing existing records and assessing the current management systems in place at each site. According to him, this data update is a crucial first step in ensuring that future policies are accurate and relevant.
He stated that updated data will serve as the main reference in drafting governance regulations that support sustainability. Without reliable data, it would be difficult to design policies that effectively address existing conditions and needs in the tourism sector.
Based on a decree issued by the Regent of Central Lombok in 2020, there were originally 61 tourism villages recorded in the region. However, recent verification and validation processes indicate that only 34 of these villages are still actively operating as tourism destinations. This finding highlights the importance of reassessing the current condition of tourism villages as part of the regulatory process.
In developing the regulations, the Tourism Office is involving multiple stakeholders. These include academic institutions and regional development acceleration teams. This collaborative approach is intended to ensure that the governance framework for tourism villages can function effectively and deliver long-term benefits.
The local government has emphasized that tourism development should not rely solely on physical infrastructure. While facilities and attractions are important, they must be supported by strong governance systems. Regulations are needed to guide management practices, improve coordination, and support the development of human resources within the tourism sector.
A central focus of the regulations currently being prepared is the improvement of hospitality standards. The goal is to ensure that tourists visiting Central Lombok feel safe, comfortable, and satisfied with their overall experience. Enhancing hospitality is considered essential in maintaining the attractiveness of the region as a tourism destination.
The Tourism Office also noted that some tourism facilities built by the government have not been utilized optimally by local managers at the village level. This situation has become one of the key reasons for strengthening governance systems. Improving the capacity of human resources involved in managing tourism destinations is seen as an important step in addressing this issue.
Through clearer regulations, the government aims to provide better guidance for destination management while encouraging improvements in service quality. Strengthening governance is expected to help ensure that existing facilities can be used more effectively and that tourism villages can operate more consistently.
Several key destinations in Central Lombok are included in the focus of this regulatory effort. These include the Benang Kelambu and Benang Stokel waterfalls, as well as tourism villages such as Sade and Sukarara. Coastal destinations like Kuta Mandalika, Selong Belanak, and Tanjung Aan are also part of the areas receiving attention.
These destinations represent important tourism assets for the region, and improving their management is considered essential in supporting overall tourism development. By focusing on governance and hospitality, the government aims to create a more positive experience for visitors while supporting the long-term sustainability of the tourism sector.
Overall, the drafting of these regulations reflects the commitment of the Central Lombok government to strengthen tourism management. By prioritizing data accuracy, stakeholder collaboration, and hospitality improvement, the initiative is expected to contribute to more effective and sustainable tourism practices in the region.