NTB Government to Evaluate Hotel Price Regulation Ahead of MotoGP Mandalika 2026

The Provincial Government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) will evaluate Gubernatorial Regulation Number 9 of 2022 concerning the Operation of Accommodation Service Businesses. This step is being taken to prevent unreasonable surges in hotel room prices ahead of the MotoGP Mandalika 2026 event. Head of the NTB Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, Ahmad Nur Aulia, revealed that the effectiveness of the regulation issued in 2022 has entered a phase requiring field review. “The gubernatorial regulation was enacted two years ago, and it is time to evaluate its effectiveness. We sincerely hope that during certain events or seasons, there will be no inappropriate and unreasonable price spikes,” Aulia stated at his office on Wednesday (5/8/2026). Aulia emphasised that opportunistic pricing by accommodation providers could potentially damage NTB’s tourism image. Although hotel prices follow the law of supply and demand, the local government is seeking an ideal formulation to keep accommodation within reasonable limits during MotoGP. “Our principle is to avoid negative impacts on our tourism image. Hotel prices are indeed dynamic depending on the market, but we are currently reviewing the scheme,” Aulia asserted. He explained that the evaluation of the regulation would target the implementation of sanctions, which are considered to have been ineffective. According to him, a regulation must not merely exist on paper but must be enforceable and fair alongside business operators. “If a regulation exists but is not implementable, we must examine the issues and identify what needs to be improved and refined. This revision process is ongoing, and we are not working alone but involving business operators,” Aulia added. Beyond hotel room rates, the NTB Provincial Government is also highlighting the issue of public and online transport accessibility, which often faces obstacles when entering the Mandalika Special Economic Zone and the circuit area. Aulia pledged to coordinate with the area manager, ITDC, to provide easy, safe, and comfortable transport services for tourists. “This is not just for one event, but for sustainability. In the tourism world, tourists need easy, fast, and comfortable transportation. That must be available,” Aulia added. Aulia noted that the MotoGP Mandalika 2026 event presents a new dynamic predicted to boost domestic spectator enthusiasm. The presence of talented young Indonesian riders, such as Veda Ega Pratama and Mario Aji, serves as a major draw for the race this year. “What’s new about MotoGP 2026 is that we have local heroes. The enthusiasm is extraordinary, not just from local NTB residents but from across the archipelago. This is a great opportunity we must seize,” Aulia explained. For the international tourist segment, the NTB government is optimising cooperation with overseas travel agents. Foreign tourists typically arrange their holiday itineraries well in advance of watching MotoGP. “International tourists need time because their travel schedules are planned long before. That’s why we are maximising coordination with travel agents to synchronise their agendas to include watching MotoGP,” Aulia concluded.