Shell Eco-marathon Encourages Increase in Hotel Occupancy in Mandalika

Chairman of Mandalika Hotel Association (MHA), Samsul Bahri, stated in Kuta on Sunday (9/7/2023) that Mandalika is currently bustling with tourists, especially during the peak of European holidays, resulting in increased occupancy rates.

However, the holding of the Shell Eco-marathon 2023 during the last week, July 4-9, 2023, has a significant impact.

“The presence of Shell Eco-marathon with participants from 13 countries certainly increases mobility to the Mandalika Circuit, causing them to search for hotels close to the circuit. Alhamdulillah, during this event, the occupancy rate of star-rated hotels in Mandalika reached 85 percent of the total available rooms of around 1,500,” said Chairman of the Mandalika Hotel Association, Samsul Bahri.”

Also read: The Indonesian Team Dominates the Energy-Saving Car Competition at the Mandalika Circuit

Samsul hopes that various activities in Mandalika can continue. Not only accommodations, but also tourism-related services can continue to move and truly recover after the pandemic.

“Perhaps in the future, events such as Shell Eco-marathon will also be open to the public so that many spectators can come and have a greater impact on both the local and outside communities of Mandalika,” said Samsul.”

Promotion of SMEs

In addition to the hotel, Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2023 Mandalika also provides an opportunity for small and medium entrepreneurs (UMKM) to showcase their products. This is facilitated by the presence of the UMKM marketplace, supported by the Bank Indonesia NTB representative office.

“Shell wants us from Bank Indonesia to display authentic UMKM products in NTB, especially Lombok. The hope is that visitors can see, recognize, and buy these products,” said the Responsible Person for UMKM Outlet of Bank Indonesia at Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2023 Mandalika, Nazlan Aziz Qasthalani.”

Also read: Turn Your Brain, Tweak Cars to Return to Champion

According to Nazlan, various types of MSME products from Bank Indonesia NTB Representative Office are brought, ranging from culinary products such as Sate Rembiga, chicken and Taliwang, as well as woven fabrics, woven bags, rattan or ketak bags, and woven shoes. Additionally, there are also honey, cookies, and moringa tea.

Since it was opened, according to Nazlan, the response from participants of the Shell Eco-marathon has been quite good, both from domestic and foreign countries.

“Quite a lot have bought. Especially since we provide both cash and non-cash payment systems. The most purchased items are food, such as sate rembiga and honey. Some bought woven clothes and woven bags,” said Nazlan.

Shell wishes us from Bank Indonesia to showcase authentic MSME products in NTB, particularly in Lombok. The hope is that visitors can see, learn about, and buy these products. (Nazlan Aziz)

Nazlan added that they have sufficient stock to anticipate purchases, especially on the last day of the Shell Eco-marathon this Sunday. “However, the main goal is not for sales, but rather to introduce NTB SME products to those who are present here,” said Nazlan.

Also read: The Indonesian Team Wins the “Urban Concept” Energy-Saving Car Competition

Chuang, one of the participants of the SEM Team Monash University Malaysia, was among the buyers of MSME products at Bank Indonesia’s outlet. Chuang, who came with two of his colleagues, said that they bought “sate rembiga” (spicy beef satay), honey, and moringa tea. “We bought these to be eaten right away. The satay is spicy, but we like it,” he said.

Hope

When contacted separately, Sayuk Wibawati, the owner of Nutsafir Cookies in Lombok, one of the products featured in the Shell Eco-marathon, said she was proud that Bank Indonesia continued to showcase her products in various activities, both on a local, national, and international scale.

“The hope is that there will be outsiders who see our product. If it’s just NTB, maybe the market is too small. By being involved, our product can be known nationally, even internationally,” said Sayuk.

Sayuk stated that Nutsafir produces cookies made from grains sourced from Lombok. In addition to selling them through a physical store in Mataram, they also market their products online.

See also: Colors of Energy Saving Car Competition in Mandalika

The monthly revenue of Nutsafir currently, according to Sayuk, is on average above Rp 150 million. “Last year in 2022, the revenue was Rp 2.8 billion due to many events, such as MotoGP. As for 2023, until June the revenue was only Rp 1 billion. The target is for MotoGP in October to boost the first semester of this year, so that the total revenue is greater than in 2022,” said Sayuk.

Ida Ghaffar, the owner of Ayam Taliwang Kemasan Beca Bero, also welcomed the positive response of her product being involved in the Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2023 Mandalika event. “We certainly appreciate it. This is a promotional event for us. Hopefully, at least the participants will know that we have packaged Ayam Taliwang products,” said Ida, whose monthly revenue ranges from IDR 750 million to IDR 800 million.

Shell Indonesia Country Chair Ingrid Siburian added that the Shell Eco-marathon is expected to stimulate the local economy. “Hosting the Shell Eco-marathon in Mandalika, in any way, has indirectly introduced Lombok to more people,” she said.

According to Ingrid, Shell Eco-marathon is their effort to be part of NTB. Therefore, they not only help local businesses through the presence of UMKM stalls, but also involve as many local people as possible. For example, volunteers for various points during the Shell Eco-marathon.

In addition, he said, during the event, other activities were also held, such as Shell Indonesia Network. In that event, they invited students from surrounding areas and presented speakers with topics that are relevant to young people so that they can be inspired.