Indonesia's southernmost province, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is made up of around 550-islands to the east of Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa.

The largest islands in the chain include Sumba, Flores and the western part of Timor. It is one of Indonesia's least developed provinces but has some of the biggest potential in terms of tourism; Labuan Bajo and Komodo, for example, are the most popular of its attractions.

One of Indonesia's least developed provinces has some of the biggest potential in terms of tourism. Photo by Yulia Agnis on Unsplash.

Gapura Bali reported last year on news that NTT was opening to foreign investment, following the IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting, which was held in Nusa Dua, Bali and now, local newswires are reporting that seven new tourist areas have been identified to help NTT become a serious player in Indonesia's tourism industry. 

A budget of IDR 8.7 billion (just over USD 610,000) has been allocated to build a number of supporting facilities including lodging and restaurants with the intention of drawing more visitors and stimulating the regency's tourism industry, which is currently being driven by Komodo National Park and Labuan Bajo airport.

The island of Ende in NTT is one of the seven designated areas slated for tourism development. Image by Felix Dance on Creative Commons Wikimedia.

According to Wayan Darmawa, Head of NTT's Office of Tourism and Creative Economy, the seven areas will be Liman Beach in Kupang, Thousand Mouth Bay east of Rote, Fatumnasi in South Central Timor, Wolwal in Alor, Koanara in Ende, Praimadita in East Sumba, and Lamalera in Lembata.

Bali Bisnis are reporting Darmawa as suggesting "each of these tourist areas is allocated around IDR 1.25 billion for the construction of various supporting facilities," explaining, the budget allocation was a realization of the community-based tourism development programme that had been declared by the provincial government. 

Mbawana Beach in West Sumba, NTT. Image by Zahrasrtn on Commons Wikimedia.

While the amount being discussed is not enough to make radical changes, it is a start and it might help encourage private and foreign investment to become involved.

Cooperation agreements with representatives of community groups and village governments have already been signed according to Darmawa, who added the initiative would begin this year in 2019.

Sources:  Bali Bisnis, Palapapos, Republika, Gapura Bali, Antara News

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