2023 is set to be a watershed year for Lombok. This idyllic Indonesian island is on the cusp of an exciting new era of long-term prosperity as international travellers, investors and major events return to its shores. At the forefront of this trend is Invest Islands, the leading real estate company, which is helping to inspire footloose, tech-savvy and eco-conscious executives to swap their urban lives for the pure shores of Lombok.
The company’s co-founders, Kevin Deisser and Jack Brown, discuss the attractive opportunities offered by Lombok in the post-pandemic era: “Prior to the global pandemic, Lombok was already one of Asia’s most dynamic up-and-coming destinations. The Indonesian government had identified Lombok as one of the country’s ‘ten new Balis’ and the island was attracting a new wave of visitors, enabled by the new airport which started welcoming international flights in 2016 and was recently expanded for the return of the MotoGP. Many experienced travellers are keen to explore new frontiers beyond the tourist resorts of Bali – especially following the recent wave of lockdowns. With the world’s borders having reopened, Lombok is in a prime position to emerge stronger than ever in the post-Covid era,” commented Kevin Deisser.
“This outlook for Lombok today is actually even brighter now than it was in 2019,” agreed Jack Brown. “Indonesia’s Tourism & Creative Economy Ministry recently named the southern area of Mandalika as a ‘super-priority destination’ for tourism in 2023 and beyond, which is driving investment in modern infrastructure. A new long-term residency visa has also been created to attract overseas buyers to Lombok. The world has changed in the last three years and many executives and entrepreneurs, including a new generation of digital nomads, are seeking a new lifestyle away from busy cities such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Jakarta. Lombok is perfectly positioned to meet their needs.”
New flights, including Scoot’s recently-launched direct service from Singapore, are supporting the return of overseas travellers to Lombok. Major events are also returning, including the FIM Superbike World Championship which brought 45,000 spectators to the island’s Mandalika International Circuit late last year, and the 2023 Indonesian MotoGP race which is set to take place this October. These high-octane events complement Lombok’s natural attractions and activities, which include walking and cycling tours, trekking through the volcanic landscapes of Gunung Rinjani National Park, and world-class diving and snorkelling.
Kevin highlighted that one key issue facing Lombok is a shortage of international-standard accommodation. “As Lombok’s tourism industry continues to grow, the island needs to satisfy demand for high-quality hotels, resorts and residences. But this also presents a unique opportunity for forward-thinking real estate companies to create high-standard and sustainable projects that raise the quality of tourism development on the island. At Invest Islands, we are aiming to meet this demand.”
Lombok’s hospitality sector will experience an important milestone in March 2023, when Gran Meliá Lombok unveils its show villas. Conceived and created by Invest Islands, this spectacular five-star resort is currently taking shape at Torok Bay, overlooking the Indian Ocean on the stunning south coast. This eco-sensitive, low-rise luxury retreat will feature 110 pool villas, including beachfront duplexes and one-to three-bedroom hillside sanctuaries, crafted in a variety of dramatic architectural styles and featuring high-spec interiors, pool decks and panoramic views. These will be supported by world-class facilities, including restaurants, wellness, water sports and more.
Gran Meliá Lombok presents a range of compelling investment options, including a Certificate of Ownership (SHM) for savvy Indonesian investors, a 30-year Building Use Rights Certificate (HGB) with optional 20-year and 30-year extensions for overseas buyers (or 80 years in total), a 25-year of hak pakai (“right to use”) program for residential purposes, and other options that generate revenue through short- and medium-term rentals and timeshares.
“Compared to many other desirable parts of Southeast Asia, property prices in Lombok are still relatively affordable, which can make it an excellent option for anyone looking to get in on the ground floor of a rapidly developing market, while also benefiting from the unrivalled international standards of a renowned five-star hospitality brand. Our aim is to provide all buyers, including millennial and Gen Z investors, with an option that suits their specific lifestyle and financial requirements,” Jack concluded.
Sales have already opened for Gran Meliá Lombok, which is on track to open its doors in 2025. The project has been named as the “Best Upcoming Hotel Development” in Indonesia and “Best Hospitality Development” in Asia at the PropertyGuru Property Awards.
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