Tourism industry in Lombok Island has developed very rapidly as indicated by the fact that the number of tourists visiting this island either domestic or overseas continuously increases from time to time. They visit Lombok Island to enjoy the beauty of the island and the hospitality of the native people.
As one of some seventeen thousand islands among the Indonesian archipelago, Lombok island lies in a strategic position among a Golden Triangle tour destination of Indonesia. Namely, Bali in the west, very famous for its culture with an icon Bali the island of Lords, Komodo – Flores in the east, so well known with Komodo Dragon Lizards and the adventure of Kelimutu three colors lake, and Sulawesi island in the north, completely popular for Toraja Land adventure.
The unspoiled mixture of nature and culture of Lombok attracts the visitors on the island so that they feel as if they live in a hidden paradise. Indeed, Lombok Island is a wonderful place for all travelling purposes, such as family vacation, leisure holiday, adventure trip, special interest tour, educational tour, and cultural trip.
Generally, the climate of Lombok does not really differ from other islands in Indonesia. It is so perfect with annual temperatures ranging from 21 ‘C and 31’C. It has only two main seasons, the dry from May to October and the wet from November to April. Vegetation in Lombok Island is native forest, plantations cultivated land, coastal shrubs, heaths and grassland and narrow mangrove communities. The best and the most wonderful time for traveling around Lombok is during the dry season.
Undoubtedly the native people of Lombok, so called SASAKNESE with unspoiled culture and tradition, always open their hands to welcome the vacationers coming to Lombok Island.
If the travelers visit Lombok after harvesting season they will have a chance to watch a unique carnival wedding ceremony which is called SORONG SERAH which means to Push and to Surrender. The philosophy of this ceremony is a groom’s apology to the bride’s family and relatives due to his mistake to elope the bride for marriage.
In northeast Lombok the travelers will find the third Indonesian high volcano Mount Rinjani of 2736 meters that challenges the trekkers with three days two nights or four days three nights Rinjani trekking adventure tour. Recently, Mt. Rinjani, a towering northern volcanic range at its centre fully dominates the inland, attracts the people who love adventure trekking to climb it up. Other non-volcanic range transverses the relatively barren southern side of the land and most of Lombok Island’s arable land and majority of the population occupy a narrow 25 km wide strip of the land.
The southern part and southwest of the island is the most attractive place for beach activities. White sandy and turquoise beach of Kuta and Tanjung Aan is a breathtaking place for swimming while the waves of Seger, Gerupuk, Ekas, and Banko Banko are wonderful spots for windsurfing.
Along the north coastal area there are many small islets called Gili with its amazing underwater scenery such as Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan in northwest and Gili Nanggu, Gili Gede, and Gili Sulat in southwest. In these islets, the tourists have plenty of marine activities to enjoy such as snorkeling, diving, parasailing, canoeing, or just sunbathing.
In line with this development, the stakeholders and Lombok Island Tourism Authority have been gradually establishing the facilities needed by the tourists. Types and levels of facilities arranged are varied. It depends on travelers’ budget. They could easily find accommodations, from backpackers class up to five stars International chain hotels, even from boutique hotels to luxurious private villas. From a Lombok taste restaurant called “WARUNG” or “RUMAH MAKAN” to a western style one. The tourists will not face any troubles and difficulties in arranging and enjoying their journey and leisure time in Lombok Island, as they will easily get transportation service as the supporting facilities of both hotels and restaurants.
If the people are interested in a tailor made tour or ready packaged holiday program, in Lombok Island there have been many Government licensed tour operators with professional English, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, and Mandarin speaking guides.
