The Indonesian province of West Nusa Tenggara is seeking to attract more visitors and investment from the United Arab Emirates and the broader Gulf region, with a focus on enhancing tourism quality and developing renewable energy projects. Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal outlined plans aimed at improving connectivity, encouraging higher-spending tourists, and positioning Lombok and its surrounding islands as distinct destinations apart from the more crowded Bali.
Located in eastern Indonesia, West Nusa Tenggara is renowned for its diverse natural landscapes, which include beaches, islands, mountainous terrain, and the prominent Mount Rinjani volcano. Governor Iqbal emphasized that while the coastline remains a key attraction, the region offers a variety of outdoor activities and nature-based tourism opportunities that can appeal to Gulf travelers interested in more than beach vacations. The province also encompasses the island of Sumbawa and numerous smaller islands, providing a range of holiday possibilities.
Rather than competing directly with Bali’s established mass-tourism model, the governor said the region aims to create its own identity by attracting tourists who contribute more economically and promote sustainable growth. Central to this strategy is improving travel access. Discussions are underway with Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to utilize available seat capacity on certain international flights by introducing Gulf tourists on otherwise empty legs. While direct scheduled flights between the UAE and Lombok are not currently planned, this initiative is intended as an initial step to raise awareness and build demand within Gulf markets.
In addition to conventional air travel, West Nusa Tenggara is preparing to inaugurate seaplane services to facilitate inter-island connections. The government is working on adapting a dam near Lombok’s airport for seaplane operations, as well as establishing landing sites on islands such as Moyo. The aim is to launch this service before the high season in late 2026, easing access to more remote areas and supporting expanded tourism development.
Beyond tourism, renewable energy presents a significant opportunity for collaboration with UAE companies, particularly in the solar power sector. Governor Iqbal highlighted the province’s strong solar potential due to high levels of sunlight exposure and the presence of 77 dams, which could accommodate floating solar panel installations covering up to 20 percent of dam surface areas, in line with existing regulations.
The province is also exploring a regional energy integration plan involving West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, and Bali. This plan would leverage renewable electricity generation in the two Nusa Tenggara provinces, potentially transmitting power to Bali via subsea cables. This approach is designed to address Bali’s limited space for expanding power infrastructure while supporting a transition to greener energy and sustainable tourism development across the region.
Governor Iqbal expressed confidence that coordinated tourism promotion, improved connections between islands, and investment in clean energy projects could drive longer tourist stays and enhance the overall economic impact for West Nusa Tenggara. The region’s vision emphasizes balancing infrastructure growth with environmental considerations to establish Lombok and its neighboring islands as distinctive destinations on Indonesia’s tourism map.