According to the most recent data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the international tourist arrivals to West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) fell dramatically by 38% during the first two months of 2019 compared to the previous year. Domestic tourists numbers are similarly low.
While there is a steady interest from the part of the international travellers to Lombok, they are reluctant to show up fearing a repeat eathquake. The low season, the rising cost of domestic flights and the effects of the previous eathquakes all contribute to the declining number of visitors to Lombok. In an attempt to attract tourists to the island, ASITA’s NTB branch asked the government to reduce the fare for domestic flights. This measure may help boost local tourism encouraging locals to choose Lombok as their holiday destination.
While Lombok is indeed generally safe to visit at the moment, climbing Gunung Rinjani, Lombok's iconic volcano, remains a highly risky affair.
Following Last Year's Earthquakes, Tourist Numbers Still Low in Lombok
News in Asia
Lombok is safe to visit, the Indonesia Tour and Travel Agency Association (ASITA) assures the public. A series of earthquakes of the last year resulted in sharp decline in tourist numbers but the island is back to its normal life again and is desperately in need of tourist support.