Nihi Sumba CEO Meets NTT Governor to Discuss Expansion to Rote Ndao
East Nusa Tenggara Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena received a working visit from James McBride, CEO and co-founder of Nihi Sumba, in his office today.
The meeting discussed plans for expanding premium tourism to Rote Island as well as several infrastructure challenges in Rote Ndao Regency.
During the meeting, James McBride outlined Nihi’s development plans for Rote Island, which is seen as having great potential as a world-class tourism destination, particularly with its exotic marine panoramas.
“Rote Island is no less than Sumba. This is a very promising destination to be developed as premium tourism,” James stated in a press release received by detikBali on Wednesday (25/3/2026).
He also highlighted several challenges faced in Rote Ndao, from infrastructure to flight access.
“Infrastructure and access are obstacles despite the great potential,” James revealed several main challenges, particularly related to accessibility to tourism destinations.
“From the inadequate road conditions to the lack of public transport and direct flights,” he continued.
In addition, James expressed plans to build a hospitality academy on Rote as part of long-term investment.
He hopes the government can improve the quality of local human resources (HR) to be ready to compete in the tourism sector, while opening up job opportunities for the local community.
“We want local HR to be ready to use. Like in Sumba, we will also absorb local workers,” he added.
He also hopes the meeting with the NTT Governor can encourage government support in addressing issues in Rote Ndao.
“We hope for government support, especially in policies and communication with airlines, so that connectivity to tourism destinations can be improved,” James added.
Response from the NTT Provincial Government
Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena welcomed Nihi’s expansion plans and assured that the regional government is ready to support tourism development in NTT.
According to Laka Lena, improvements to infrastructure, especially road access to tourist sites, will soon be identified through relevant agencies.
“For road access to the resort, we will identify it through the Public Works Department so it can be budgeted. This is a joint commitment to building NTT tourism,” Laka Lena stated.
In addition, the government will strengthen cross-sector coordination.
“We will carry out coordination, including with airlines, to improve air connectivity to flagship tourism destinations,” he explained.
Nihi Sumba is an iconic world-class tourism spot from NTT. This ultra-luxury resort is located in West Sumba Regency and is globally known as an exclusive tourism destination.
The resort is famous for the God’s Left surfing waves, a 2.5-kilometre white sand beach, and the Edge of Wildness concept that blends luxury with the authenticity of wild nature.
Nihi Sumba was founded in 1988 by Claude and Petra Graves. Nihi was then developed into a world-class destination after being acquired by Chris Burch and James McBride in 2012.