MotoGP Lombok 2026 expected to strengthen tourism links with Bali

Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, known as Cok Ace, who serves as the Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Bali and is the ex-Deputy Governor of Bali, stated that the Mandalika event has been a “blessing for Bali” in previous years. He noted that spectators, racing crews, and teams frequently use Bali as their primary base of residence due to limited accommodation capacity in Lombok.

Accommodation and Visitor Trends

According to Sukawati, many visitors extend their stays by two to three days after the competition concludes to vacation in Bali. He noted that these individuals do not visit solely to compete but use their remaining time to holiday in the region.

Data from PHRI Bali indicates an average room occupancy rate of 68% in Bali, with the Sanur area seeing occupancy exceed 80% as of mid-September.

Transport and Connectivity

Travel between the two provinces is facilitated by short flights of less than 30 minutes from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, with return tickets starting at USD 100. Fast boats remain the most popular transit method, with providers such as GoBoat operating dozens of daily crossings.

To further increase foreign tourist arrivals entering through Bali, the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Provincial Government confirmed a year-round fast boat route connecting Sanur to Mandalika. This service sees a significant spike in demand during the MotoGP event.

Strategic Tourism Goals

Mandalika is one of five “Super Priority Destinations” identified by Indonesia. These sites, sometimes called the “five new Balis,” are intended to become as established and in-demand as Bali. While Lombok is a primary add-on destination, other popular options for tourists include East Java Province, Yogyakarta, and Labuan Bajo.