Foreign Tourists Flock Back to Mount Rinjani
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Editor
5 May 2023 17:24 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Mataram - The number of tourists visiting Mount Rinjani in North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has increased after being restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are not only local but also foreign hikers.
"Previously during the COVID-19 pandemic, only Indonesian hikers came [to the volcano]," Head of the Mount Rinjani National Park Office, Dedy Asriady, told Tempo on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
During this year’s Eid holiday from April 19 to April 25, at least 1,135 people registered to climb the mountain, which has an altitude of 3,726 meters above sea level, and visit Lake Segara Anak and Ai Kalak hot springs.
"They consist of 868 Indonesians and thanks to the opening of Indonesian gates to foreign visitors, there are 267 foreign climbers," Dedy outlined.
As of Wednesday, May 3, 2023, tourists’ interest in climbing Rinjani was quite high. The 700 visitor’s quota is met every day. The quota is divided into 150 hikers via Senaru hiking gate in North Lombok, 150 hikers via Sembalun hiking gate in East Lombok, 100 hikers via Torean hiking gate in North Lombok, 100 hikers via Timbanuh Pringgasela hiking gate in East Lombok, 100 hikers via Tetebatu in East Lombok, and 100 hikers via Aik Berik hiking gate in Central Lombok.
Mount Rinjani National Park is also crowded with non-climbing visitors for health treatment at the hot springs and for the Hindus ritual of Mulang Pekelem. The number of tourists reached 4,888, including four foreigners.
SUPRIYANTHO KHAFID
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