How can improving inclusive WASH enhance Mandalika as a tourism destination?

SDG 6 calls for “universal” access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. People spend half their waking lives at work, therefore access to WASH in the workplace is fundamental to the achievement of SDG 6. As 1.8 billion people lack access to safe drinking water and 4.1 billion are without access to adequate sanitation, there is an established, direct cost that impacts business through increased absenteeism and decreased productivity due to illness and cultural practices.

Tourism is a key and growing industry in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province, Indonesia, as a destination attractive to both national and international tourists. Between 2015-2019 annual international tourist visits to Lombok doubled from 1 to over 2 million.

Mandalika has been designated by President Joko Widodo as one of 10 key tourism development destinations in Indonesia, with a predicted tourist carrying capacity of more than 4.5 million visitors per year. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions has had immediate and deep negative effects on tourism.

This practice note considers the importance and challenges of ensuring water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services are in place to support the tourism sector through difficult times and for future growth from the perspective of government, tourism operators and the community.

Learn more about The International WaterCentre's work on Gender and social inclusion and WASH.  

For further information please contact:
Dr Ni Made Utami Dwipavanti utami_dwipayanti@unud.ac.id
Bronwyn Powell bronwyn.powell@griffith.edu.au
www.watercentre.org

Download English version

Download Bahasa version