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Helicopter service, glamping sites proposed to boost tourist experience on Mount Rinjani
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A hiker on his journey to hike Mount Rinjani from the Senaru route. (Shutterstock/File)
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irbus Helicopters Indonesia and PT Rinjani Glamping Indonesia (RGI) are eyeing opportunities to boost the tourism experience for visitors to Mount Rinjani, one of Indonesia’s most popular hiking destinations, on Lombok Island.
Mount Rinjani National Park Agency (TNGR) head Dedy Asriady said that Airbus Helicopters Indonesia planned to run an air transportation service for tourists by taking them on helicopters to enjoy the view of the mountain.
The plan is, however, still in its initial stage of proposal and the company has yet to obtain any permit regarding the matter from the government, he said.
“The company has proposed the plan to the relevant stakeholders, including those in the hiking service business,” Dedy said as reported by Antara on Wednesday.
PT RGI, meanwhile, has proposed a plan to build luxurious sites for the activity known as “glamping” — a portmanteau of glamorous and camping — around the area of Segara Anak, the mountain’s crescent-shaped crater lake.
Read also: Walhi opposes plan to construct cable car around Mount Rinjani for MotoGP race
PT RGI applied to obtain an environmental permit for its plan in 2017, but only received a technical consideration from North Lombok Cultural and Tourism Agency, as well as the TNGR in 2017.
Dedy said that PT RGI still had to meet various requirements, including drafting a feasibility study and natural tourism development plan (RPPA), the latter is required to go through a public review mechanism.
Investors are also required to obtain a commitment permit from the Natural Resource and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) Directorate General at the Environment and Forestry Ministry.
“The two investors still have to go through long processes before they obtain their permits,” Dedy said.
Airbus Helicopters Indonesia corporate sales manager Sussy Kusumawardani confirmed the plan, saying that the company wanted to provide a helicopter service for tourists to enjoy the beauty of Mt Rinjani without having to go hiking.
“We are interested in providing air transportation facilities because tourism is a priority for the Indonesian government and [improving] access is one of the keys [to tourism success],” Sussy said.
Meanwhile, PT RGI Director Diyson Toba said it planned to build glamping facilities on Mt Rinjani as it targeted new and upper- and middle-income tourists who wanted to savor the view of the mountain in luxury. (gis)
