REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA —  Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara would hosted side events for 2018 Annual Meeting of International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) that will be held in Bali next October. Despite the disaster that hit the region a couple months ago, Lombok to proceed holding festivals for IMF-WB participants.

Although the festival events would not as grand as previously planned, Lombok would still welcome tourist guests. Bank Indonesia Department of Islamic Economics and Finance head, Muh. Anwar Bashori said the organizers of annual meeting of IMF-WB event continued to coordinate with the regional government.

"At first we will hold a lot of big festivals, but after the earthquake, we decided to bring down the scale,” said Anwar on Monday (Sept 24).

Anwar admitted high interest of annual meeting of IMF-WB participants who want to visit Lombok. The world's favorite Muslim tourist area is the most suitable destination because it is near from Bali.

The organizing committee will continue to facilitate those who want to visit Lombok, especially after the post-disaster emergency status was revoked. The festival will be held precisely at Mandalika which displays the typical culinary and culture of the Lombok Sasak tribe.

"We will continue to make final preparations for the festival, we continue to coordinate with the local government," Anwar added.

Lombok earthquakes in July and August were considered to have had no significant impact on Mandalika which is located in the southern part of Lombok. Severe damage occurred in North Lombok. Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said Mandalika had the potential to become a new halal tourism in Indonesia.

Mandalika is one of 10 destinations set by the government as a priority for tourism development, known as 10 New Bali. Indonesia Halal Lifestyle Center chairman Sapta Nirwandar said Lombok has a big potential as a halal tourist destination despite the earthquake that struck-off the region.

“I think the earthquake did not have a significant impact on halal tourism in Lombok, the recovery will continue and Lombok will return to normal condition,” Sapta said.

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