The island is located in the Western Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. It is a part of the Lesser Sunda Islands, roughly circular with a “tail” and a total land mass of around 1,829.60 square miles including smaller offshore islands. It shares a similarity with the island of Bali. Its capital city, Mataram, is the largest in the country. The island country has over three million residents living within its territory. It is a beautiful place to live in, given the culture, friendly natives, and natural scenery.
The economy of the country
Presently, most of the goods consumed on the island are imported by air or sea from Bali, the closest island to the country. However, the government is working meticulously to develop the country and Sumbawa, its sister island, into Indonesia’s top destination for international tourism. Given its natural, unpopulated, and simple environment, tourists tend to flock to the island seeking fresh air and inner peace. Tourism is a rich source of revenue for the country’s economy, though, the industry is still growing. One such development is the opening of the International Airport for domestic and international flights.
Tourism on the Island
Tourism contributes a lot to the income of the country. The most developed tourism area within the territory is on the west coast of the island, around Senggigi. There are numerous hotels and resorts providing accommodations ranging from low-budget to luxurious. Despite it changing, the Gili islands still have a place for backpackers and those looking for a high-class resort destination. Some tourist destinations include Mount Rinjani, Gili Bidara, Gili Lawang, Narmada Park and Mayura Park, and Kuta. The Kuta area is quite famous for its largely deserted and white sand beaches. It is popular for its diversity of breaks such as the world-renowned Desert Point at Banko Banko.
Starting a tourism business
There is no better place to set up a tourism business than this island quite blessed with everything tourists seek: tranquility, beauty, and hospitality. The island offers great business opportunities too, to people interested in doing business within its territory. Here are some of the steps to take:
Make a market research
Determine the type of market already existing by carrying out market research. This will allow you to learn more about the target market, competitors in the market, financial costs of running such, et cetera. It will also inform the business owner of the tourism activities frequently engaged in by tourists.
Prepare a business plan
Having a business plan is important to the growth and success of a business. It usually guides the operations of the entity before and after setup. To create a plan, consider important aspects such as who the target market is, the costs of running the business, pricing for services to offer, advertising costs, and so on.
Register the business
This requires the owner to register the business name with the appropriate incorporation authority. Also, the owner has to acquire the license or permit that grants the business legal status to operate within the territory.
Promote the business
One has to promote the business for it to attract customers. This can be an online or offline advertisement. Promoting it enables people to know more about the services you provide and patronize you. Advertisements can be done through websites, flyers, local prints, etc. One can also partner with local tour guides and travel agents.
Generally, starting a tourism business such as offering hospitality is exciting but it is not as simple as it seems. It requires proper management and planning to run smoothly. If you are new to running a business, you might need to consult a professional in the industry.
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