Bali, Western and Eastern Nusa Tenggara have agreed to jointly develop a unified tourism and creative cluster. Signing the agreement marks the first step towards forming a common economic zone and coordinating projects that were previously conducted separately.
The initiative has two objectives: to showcase the potential of Eastern Indonesia to the world and to ensure inclusive development — from tourists to fishermen, from artisans to entrepreneurs. The ambitions are accompanied by challenges: uneven infrastructure, weak inter-island connections, a shortage of skilled workers, and risks to ecosystems. Without a clear plan, the superhub risks remaining a slogan.
Bali's role is changing: from showcasing national tourism to coordinating growth rates, environmental protection, and identity preservation. Western Nusa Tenggara (NTB), with Rinjani, the Gili Islands, and Lombok beaches, envisions itself as a center of ecotourism and active leisure; the priority is integrating air, sea, and land routes.
Eastern Nusa Tenggara (NTT) focuses on tourism, agriculture, creative industries, and sustainable supply chains: Labuan Bajo — the 'gateway to Komodo' — still relies on imported goods, which needs to change.
A memorandum of understanding and roadmap are being prepared. Three key areas:
- Transport and logistics — regular routes between Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, and Flores, making inter-island travel as easy as moving within a metropolitan area.
- Human factor and creative economy — training, supporting small businesses, and creating sustainable ecosystems.
- Spatial planning and environmental sustainability — new tourist zones with standards for nature protection and cultural heritage to carefully develop small islands.
The superhub is not only about roads and ports but also a test of maturity: whether the regional alliance can build a future based on equality, sustainability, and local pride. If successfully implemented, Bali, NTB, and NTT will become a center of national growth where innovation meets tradition.
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Source: antara, tribunnews
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