Editing Lombok (section)

=== Present ===
The years leading up to 2010 saw a rapid revival and promotion of tourism recovery in the tourism industry. The number of visitors far surpassed pre-2000 levels.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

The Indonesian government has actively promoted both Lombok and neighboring [[Sumbawa]] as Indonesia's number two tourist destination after Bali. In 2009, then President of Indonesia, [[Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono]], the Ministry of Cultural and Tourism and the regional Governor made public statements supporting the development of Lombok as a tourism destination and setting a goal of 1 million visitors annually by the year 2012 for the combined destination of Lombok and Sumbawa.<ref>{{Cite web |language=en |date=2009-07-07 |title=President Gives Full Support to Tourism |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/07/07/president-gives-full-support-tourism.html |access-date=2009-07-08 |website=The Jakarta Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-19 |title=Lombok, Sumbawa Eying 1 Million Tourists by 2012 |url=http://missjoaquim.com/lombok-sumbawa-eying-1-million-tourists-by-2012/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819231346/http://missjoaquim.com/lombok-sumbawa-eying-1-million-tourists-by-2012/ |archive-date=2017-08-19 |access-date=2017-08-19 |website=Miss Joaquim Pearls |language=en }}</ref> This has seen infrastructure improvements to the island including road upgrades and the construction of a much delayed new [[Lombok International Airport|International airport]] in the islands south.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Trisha Sertori |date=2009-06-07 |title=An Invitation from Lombok |language=en |work=The Jakarta Post |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/07/06/an-invitation-lombok.html |access-date=2009-07-07}}</ref> Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) has been empowered to develop [[Mandalika, Lombok|Mandalika Resort Area]] at southern part of the island, extending from Kuta along {{convert|8|km}} of sandy beach.

Tourism is an important source of income on Lombok. The most developed tourism area of the island is on the west coast of the island and is centered about the township of [[Senggigi]]. The immediate surrounds of the township contain the most developed tourism facilities. The west coast coastal tourism strip is spread along a {{convert|30|km|abbr=off}} strip following the coastal road north from [[Mataram (city)|Mataram]] and the old airport at [[Ampenan]]. The principal tourism area extends to Tanjung in the northwest at the foot of Mount Rinjani and includes the Sire and Medana Peninsulas and the highly popular [[Gili Islands]] lying immediately offshore. These three small islands are most commonly accessed by boat from Bangsal near Pemenang, Teluk Nare a little to the south, or from further south at Senggigi and Mangsit beach. Many hotels and resorts offer accommodations ranging from budget to luxurious.  Recently direct fast boat services have been running from Bali making a direct connection to the Gili islands. Although rapidly changing in character, the Gili islands still provide both a lay-back backpacker's retreat and a high-class resort destination.

Other tourist destinations include [[Mount Rinjani]], Gili Bidara, Gili Lawang, [[Narmada, West Lombok|Narmada]] [[Park]] and [[Mayura Park]] and [[Kuta (Lombok)|Kuta]] (distinctly different from Kuta, Bali).<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 July 2011 |title=Lombok International Airport to Operate Soon |language=en |work=Antara News |url=https://en.antaranews.com/news/74276/lombok-international-airport-to-operate-soon}}</ref> Sekotong, in southwest Lombok, is popular for its numerous and diverse scuba diving locations.

The Kuta area is also famous for its largely deserted, white sand beaches. The Smalltown is rapidly developing since the opening of the International airport in Praya. Increasing amounts of surfers from around the globe come here seeking out perfect surf and the slow and rustic feel of Lombok. South Lombok surfing is considered some of the best in the world. Large polar lows push up through the [[Indian Ocean]] directing long range, high period [[Swell (ocean)|swell]] from as far south as [[Heard Island]] from late March through to September or later. This coincided with the dry season and South-East trade winds that blow like clockwork. Lombok is famous for its diversity of breaks, which includes world-renowned ''Desert Point'' at Banko Banko in the southwest of the island.

The northern west coast near [[Tanjung, Lombok|Tanjung]] has many new upmarket [[hotel]] and [[villa]] developments centered about the Sire and Medana peninsular nearby to the Gili islands and a new boating marina at Medana Bay. These new developments complement the already existing five-star resorts and a large golf course already established there.