The Three Gilis (Packed With Tourists)

THE PACE of development in the three Gilis in North Lombok, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air is a very positive sign. Up to this September the number of visitors, both local and foreign, is very high and in fact the Gilis feel overloaded. Some visitors cannot even find hotel rooms with the hotels already 100 percent booked for the last three months. As a result some of the tourists stay with local residents while most of them have no choice other than to erect tents and sleep on the beach. Right now the three Gilis are not encouraging any more visitors as they are already full.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Culture and Tourism Service of the Province of West Nusa Tenggara, Lalu Gita Aryadi, says that the total number of domestic foreign tourist within the last months has been growing. In the three Gilias area particularly, Gita adds, the number has been fantastic. This year marks a record number of tourists visiting the three Gilis, even though the exact figure is not yet available.

Gita explains that a positive trend of domestic and foreign tourist visits has been observed since May and reached it’s peak in August, whilst in September it was expected that the number would slow down a little during the fasting season. On the other hand, for the remaining months to the end of this year it is estimated that the number of visitors will again increase as happened last year, whilst usually during the Christmas and New Year season the number of local and foreign visitors increases significantly.

This increasing number of local and foreign tourists is also confirmed by the Central Bureau of Statistics. From the surveys conducted, it is found that the rise in numbers of tourists is closely associated with star hotel occupancy rates in Sengigi and the Three Gilis area. Occupancy rates have increased significantly. Gita Aryadi says that the government encourages many foreign tourists to come to NTB, since their increased numbers helps the local economy grow. Moreover, for the next few months the government already has plans to hold several international class events.

Although the figure show a positive upward trend, Gita says that there are still many things that need to be improved. Apart from supporting facilities there is also a need to improve community capacity in managing the tourism sector, especially related to hospitality, the main key to success of tourism in any area. Regarding the need to improve hospitality, the government is building collaboration with relevant parties to provide extension on the importance of the tourism sector for economic development. To be able to create successful tourism industry, the community must have a sense of ownership and provide good service to the guest.

An example of a community extension programmes is the need for good cleaning activities in Gunung Sari market. This was conducted by the Culture and Tourism Service of NTB Province in collaboration with other parties. The cleaning activities awareness of the importance of creating a clean environment. Gunung Sari market was selected for cleaning activities because it is located right besides one of the main tourist routes to Pusuk Pass, Senggigi and Bangsal in Pemenang on the way to the Gilis and North Lombok.