Mandalika: Where Racing Meets the Soul of Lombok

By: Hafid Abbas
the Director of Indonesia Study Center at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (HIU)

After spending several days in Mandalika on holiday, travelling through Lombok and meeting local people along the way, I came away with a simple but powerful impression: Mandalika is not only a place of extraordinary beauty; it is a place of extraordinary human warmth. Everywhere I went, I encountered the friendliness, generosity and genuine hospitality of the Sasak people. Their smiles, openness and pride in their homeland made me understand that the real attraction of Mandalika cannot be captured in photographs or measured in visitor statistics. Its greatest asset is the combination of nature, culture and people. What if Indonesia’s next global tourism icon is therefore not another Bali, but a destination that tells a different story? That destination may well be Mandalika.

First, Mandalika’s future should be built upon the extraordinary beauty of its natural environment. Its beaches, hills, coastal landscapes and marine ecosystems are not simply scenery for tourists; they are the natural capital of Lombok. This gives Mandalika an opportunity to become a leading destination for eco-tourism and sustainable, even regenerative, tourism. The objective should not simply be to attract more visitors, but to create better tourism—tourism that protects the environment, manages water and waste responsibly and ensures that economic growth does not destroy the landscapes that make Mandalika beautiful. The destinations that will endure in the future will not be those that consume their natural beauty fastest, but those that protect it longest. Mandalika can demonstrate that environmental stewardship is not an obstacle to tourism development. It is one of its greatest competitive advantages.

Second, Mandalika’s most irreplaceable asset is the living heritage of the Sasak people. During my visit, I was struck not only by the beauty of Lombok, but by the kindness of the people who welcomed me. Their weaving, architecture, cuisine, music, rituals, craftsmanship and stories give the island an identity that no investment can manufacture. The question, therefore, should not simply be how many Sasak people work in hotels, restaurants or tourism facilities. The deeper question is: how much of Mandalika’s tourism value can the Sasak people themselves create, own and manage? International experiences, from Māori tourism in New Zealand to community-based conservation in Namibia and Costa Rica, show that culture becomes economically sustainable when communities are not merely performers for visitors, but entrepreneurs, owners and decision-makers. Imagine Sasak women-led enterprises taking traditional weaving to international markets, local farmers supplying hotels and restaurants, villages offering authentic homestays, young people developing digital tourism businesses, and local guides sharing the history and wisdom of Lombok with visitors from around the world. Then culture would not simply be something tourists consume. It would become a source of dignity, identity, creativity and prosperity.

Third, Mandalika possesses another extraordinary advantage: a world-class international motorsport platform. MotoGP has already placed Lombok before a global audience. The roar of the race can become the gateway through which millions discover the island. But the circuit should not stand apart from the destination. A visitor arriving for the Grand Prix should have reasons to stay longer—to explore Sasak villages, experience local cuisine, discover traditional crafts, enjoy the beaches and encounter the wider beauty of Lombok. ITDC’s mission to cultivate high-quality human resources in circuit management and motorsport-based event organizing is therefore more than an operational objective. Mandalika can become a centre of excellence for Indonesian motorsport, developing event managers, engineers, safety specialists, hospitality professionals, entrepreneurs and young people capable of participating in a global sports industry. Its collaboration with international circuit operators, the Indonesian Motorsport Association, motorsport communities, businesses and sponsors can transform Mandalika from a racing venue into a wider motorsport ecosystem. The race should bring the world to Lombok; the beauty, culture and hospitality of Lombok should give the world a reason to stay.

Fourth, Mandalika’s ultimate test will be whether its prosperity reaches the people who have called this place home for generations. A destination cannot truly be called world- class if local communities experience development merely as something happening around them. Questions concerning land, livelihoods, consultation and participation must therefore be addressed with seriousness and fairness. ITDC’s 2026 Human Rights Policy Guidelines provide an important foundation, but their real significance will be measured by implementation: meaningful consultation, human-rights due diligence, livelihood restoration where necessary, accessible grievance mechanisms, responsible security and appropriate standards for contractors and business partners. This is not simply about compliance. It is about trust. A destination where communities trust investors is more resilient, while a company that listens can prevent disputes before they grow. Ultimately, Mandalika should measure its success not only through visitor numbers, investment and international events, but also through local businesses entering the tourism supply chain, young people gaining world-class skills, Sasak culture becoming stronger, nature being protected and tourism revenue remaining within Lombok. The deepest measure of success would be if local people could look at Mandalika’s transformation and say with pride: “We are not merely living alongside development. We are part of it.”

Mandalika now has the opportunity to offer Indonesia something more enduring than a successful tourism project. It can demonstrate that nature, culture, sport and human dignity can become mutually reinforcing foundations of world-class tourism. Bali opened Indonesia’s tourism story to the world. Mandalika can now write its next chapter—not by becoming another Bali, but by becoming uniquely itself: a place where the ancient heritage of the Sasak meets the speed of MotoGP, where economic ambition walks together with environmental responsibility, and where global tourism creates opportunity for local people.

My few days in Mandalika left me with the conviction that its greatest attraction is not one particular beach, hotel or racing event. It is the harmony between the beauty of the land and the kindness of its people. That is the foundation upon which a truly world-class destination can be built.

“Mandalika can become the new soul of Indonesia—a world-class destination where the beauty of nature, the heritage and kindness of its people, and the excitement of international sport come together to show the world the living spirit of Indonesia.”