Mandalika gearing to welcome tourists ahead of MotoGP: official

Jakarta, March 1 (ANTARA) - Mandalika is gearing to receive tourists ahead of the MotoGP event on March 18–20, 2022, deputy for tourism products and creative economy at the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry Rizki Handayani Mustafa, said. Currently, preparations have entered the final stage in all sectors, starting from arrangements for the entry of participants and tourists, supporting transportation, to the provision of health services, she informed. "We only have 18 days left for the implementation. Actually, we just need to clean up; if we are in a restaurant like now, it is time to tidy up the table and set the dishes. We have done the cooking and shopping," she remarked at an online press conference for the 2022 Mandalika MotoGP in Jakarta on Tuesday. Handayani also assured all sectors under the coordination of Field Commander Marshal (TNI) Hadi Tjahjanto were ready. "Every week we are tracing, so that we know what are the shortcomings that still need to be prepared," she said. The government is also continuing to coordinate regarding the permitted audience capacity, which has been set at 60 thousand spectators, she added. Although there has been a downward trend in COVID-19 cases lately, efforts to prevent transmission must still be carried out, she said. As a super-priority tourism destination (DPSP), Mandalika is enjoying a windfall with the MotoGP event, she remarked. Moreover, the sporting event has many fans around the world, she noted. "This will lift the image and promote Indonesia in general and Mandalika in particular," she said. The MotoGP event will not only have an impact on the development of tourism facilities, but also other facilities that will have great benefits for the local community, Handayani said. "We hope that West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), especially Lombok, will become an international destination," she added. Hopefully, drivers and tourists who attend MotoGP will also get a good impression during their visit to NTB, she said. “So, what we need to do is to maintain a good impression on foreign tourists and participants who attend MotoGP," she added.