Sales at souvenir centers have begun to increase with the World Superbike event (WSBK) at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit drawing near, the Industry and Trade Office (Disprindag), Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, has informed.

“Our souvenir centers are starting to thrive again, even though visitors to WSBK are mostly domestic tourists rather than foreign tourists,” head of Central Lombok District’s Disprindag, H Saman, said in Praya sub-district on Wednesday.

The COVID-19 pandemic had affected local MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), such as those selling souvenirs, as no tourists came to purchase their products, he noted.

“There were very few visitors at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but now it (tourist interest) is starting to rise through this WSBK race,” he added.

However, the increase in tourist arrivals is currently not significant, Saman said.

Hence, MSME players are still being encouraged to promote their products online, he added.

“In addition to selling online, they have also started selling offline for the WSBK event,” he informed.

According to Saman, some souvenir centers that are currently active are Sade, Sukerara, Kuta, Praya, and others located in several tourist destinations.

“The increase is about 15 percent compared to the beginning of the pandemic,” he added.

Moreover, the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup (IATC) motorcycle racing event on November 12–14, 2021, and the WSBK at the Mandalika circuit are expected to bolster the economic growth of the community and MSMEs in West Nusa Tenggara, he said.

“If many tourists come, the local economy can grow,” Saman observed.

The racing events are massive opportunities, and the community is expected to benefit from them, not only as the audience, he added.

The World Superbike (WSBK) event will start on November 19 and conclude on November 21, 2021.

Source: Antara News