\n
\n\tLOMBOK: Just east of Bali, and separated by the Lombok Strait, the island of Lombok boasts the same azure beaches and stunning views as its famous neighbor, and is less crowded.<\/p>\n
\n\tLombok, known for its untouched natural beauty, offers a more tranquil and less commercialized experience. Its beaches are still a hidden gem among surfers, as is Mount Rinjani, an active stratovolcano in North Lombok, for hikers. Travel portals still liberally use the word \u201cuntouched\u201d to describe the island as they offer reasons to venture beyond Bali.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe island is a quieter, calmer neighbor that is very much in its \u201cup and coming\u201d era against Bali\u2019s high traffic; Lombok is a top tourist pick that has long been touted as the \u201clast paradise\u201d by travelers.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cAs Bali get more and more busy, people have started looking to its beautiful neighbor Lombok for a reason. This paradise really has it all \u2014 waterfalls, rice terraces, sea surf, sea facing resorts where you can enjoy sunsets, surfing and restaurants offering good foods,\u201d Adam, an Australian tourist surfing at the Senggigi Beach in Lombok, told Arab News.<\/p>\n
\n\tLombok is known for beaches and surfing spots, particularly at Kuta and Banko Banko (in the south, Lombok attracts tourists to its motor-vehicle-free Gili Islands, Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno).<\/p>\n
\n\tLocated off Lombok\u2019s west coast, the Gili Islands offer stunning escapes with activities, prioritizing privacy and halal-friendly experiences.<\/p>\n
\n\tGili Trawangan, the largest among them, offers vibrant energy with private activities: Exploring vibrant marine life through private snorkeling and diving tours, enjoying halal-certified meals in secluded beach spots, and cycling and horse-drawn carriages to explore the island without motorized vehicles, perfect for quiet, scenic tours.<\/p>\n
\n\tGili Air, a peaceful, family-friendly island, provides secluded villas with access to private beach areas and halal dining. Tourists can enjoy private excursions for snorkeling or kayaking around the island with wellness options in a serene environment.<\/p>\n
\n\tGili Meno is the quietest of the islands, ideal for tranquility. Secluded beaches provide privacy on beaches, perfect for couples and families.<\/p>\n
\n\tVisitors can explore the beauty of the islands with exclusive boat tours.<\/p>\n
\n\tYudhi Lingga, general manager of the Royal Avila, a boutique resort in Lombok, told Arab News: \u201cAfter the success of Bali as premier tourist destination the Indonesian government has sensed the opportunity to create another lucrative tourist haven on the sprawling archipelago.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tThe mission is to create more Balis \u2014 Lombok, less than an hour away by flight, will be one of them.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe island, with its majority Muslim population, is rapidly gaining recognition as the ideal destination for tourists, especially those from the Middle East looking for halal tourism.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cWe have come up with these sea facing boutique resorts and facilities in a way suitable for spending quality time with the family and enjoying the privacy,\u201d said Lingga.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe drive to transform Lombok is part of a wider effort to lure travelers away from Bali, which has for decades played an outsized role in Indonesia\u2019s tourism industry.<\/p>\n
\n\tKnown as the Island of a Thousand Mosques \u2014 you can see the holy sites everywhere \u2014 Lombok has its own pristine beaches, majestic landscapes and deep-rooted Islamic cultural heritage.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cThese enriching experiences make Lombok one of the top Muslim-friendly tourism destinations in Indonesia. It is particularly attractive for travelers from the Middle East and other Muslim-majority countries,\u201d added Lingga.<\/p>\n
\n\tBeyond halal tourism, Lombok is a quality destination due to its natural beauty, adventure opportunities and cultural experiences. The island offers pristine beaches and mountains, opportunities for water sports and hiking, and a rich culture centered around the Sasak community. These qualities appeal to a wide range of tourists from Australia and Europe, who can be seen all over the island.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cSet your feet on the spectacular ground of Indonesian nature in Lombok and feel the tropical breeze touch your skin,\u201d Gede Apri, director of sales at Holiday Resort Lombok at Senggigi, told Arab News.<\/p>\n
\n\tAnother key attraction in Lombok is Mandalika, a hidden piece of cultural and natural heaven.<\/p>\n
\n\tLocated along the south coast of the Lombok island, the rest area faces the glistening Indian Ocean. In the background are lush green hills and mesmerizing landscapes.<\/p>\n
\n\tMandalika, once a surfers\u2019 best-kept secret, has now emerged as the island\u2019s capital of leisure.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe special tourism economic zone boasts vibrant bars and nightclubs, thrilling racing circuits, exciting water parks, luxurious hotels and resorts, fascinating golf courses and rejuvenating spas.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cTourism in Mandalika is equaling its neighboring island, Bali. Mandalika is also a melting pot of tourists from all parts of the globe. Here, the tourism industry fused seamlessly with the unique and colorful culture of the local people that is still well preserved for generations,\u201d Indonesia\u2019s tourism website says.<\/p>\n
\n\tMandalika in the south has been chosen as the heart of the \u201cnew Bali.\u201d Its rustic coastline has given way to glitzy resorts, cafes and even a racetrack.<\/p>\n
\n\tEarlier this month, almost 150,000 spectators showed up to watch a motorcycle race at Mandalika Circuit, an official told Arab News.<\/p>\n
\n\tMandalika is also conveniently located near some of Lombok\u2019s most outstanding beaches. These include Tanjung Aan, Kuta, Gerupuk, Serenting and Seger Beach. From the top of the Merese Hill and Batu Payung Beach, you are presented with some of the most amazing panoramas of Lombok.<\/p>\n
\n\tVarious fun water activities await at Kuta Beach. Those who enjoy swimming, surfing and fishing can head to Gerupuk Beach, while those who prefer peace and serenity can head to Serenting Beach.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cBlessed with beautiful nature and enhanced by the hands of professionals, Mandalika is designed to make your dream vacation a reality,\u201d said Ivan Kamajaya of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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LOMBOK: Just east of Bali, and separated by the Lombok Strait, the island of Lombok…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":79320,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-79319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle"],"yoast_head":"\n
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