Damar, one of the best surf guides on the Indonesian island of Lombok, feels right at home taking tourists out to sea. With his fluent English and effortless banter, you would never guess what was his childhood fear: foreigners. That diffidence waned as the laidback island he calls home slowly found its popularity among Western travellers.
Just east of Bali, Lombok boasts the same azure beaches and stunning views as its famous neighbour, but without the exasperating crowds. Lombok's beaches are still a hidden gem among surfers, as is Mount Rinjani for hikers. Travel sites still liberally use the word untouched to describe the island as they offer reasons to venture beyond Bali.
So it should come as little surprise that the Indonesian government has sensed the opportunity to create another lucrative tourist haven on the sprawling archipelago. The mission is to create more Balis - and Lombok will be one of them.
For islanders, this promise of Balification is a welcome opportunity but they are also wary of what it brings. And the change has already begun to hit home in more ways than one. Mandalika in the south has been chosen as the heart of the new Bali, where rustic coastlines have already given way to glitzy resorts and even a racetrack.
However, this development has prompted significant backlash from locals. Many families, including Damar's, were relocated to make way for the transformations, facing inadequate compensation and support. While Damar has found success in the tourism sector as a surf guide, he reflects the mixed feelings of many residents who are torn between the economic benefits of tourism and the loss of their traditional way of life.
This drive to change Lombok not only impacts its landscapes but also raises concerns about cultural erosion. The island, home to the predominantly Muslim Sasak ethnic group, is witnessing pressure to conform to the expectations of tourists, with shifts in social norms around dress and behavior becoming evident.
As Lombok embraces its tourist potential, the need for a sustainable approach becomes critical. The question remains: can it find a balance between building a thriving tourist economy and preserving its unique identity?
Just east of Bali, Lombok boasts the same azure beaches and stunning views as its famous neighbour, but without the exasperating crowds. Lombok's beaches are still a hidden gem among surfers, as is Mount Rinjani for hikers. Travel sites still liberally use the word untouched to describe the island as they offer reasons to venture beyond Bali.
So it should come as little surprise that the Indonesian government has sensed the opportunity to create another lucrative tourist haven on the sprawling archipelago. The mission is to create more Balis - and Lombok will be one of them.
For islanders, this promise of Balification is a welcome opportunity but they are also wary of what it brings. And the change has already begun to hit home in more ways than one. Mandalika in the south has been chosen as the heart of the new Bali, where rustic coastlines have already given way to glitzy resorts and even a racetrack.
However, this development has prompted significant backlash from locals. Many families, including Damar's, were relocated to make way for the transformations, facing inadequate compensation and support. While Damar has found success in the tourism sector as a surf guide, he reflects the mixed feelings of many residents who are torn between the economic benefits of tourism and the loss of their traditional way of life.
This drive to change Lombok not only impacts its landscapes but also raises concerns about cultural erosion. The island, home to the predominantly Muslim Sasak ethnic group, is witnessing pressure to conform to the expectations of tourists, with shifts in social norms around dress and behavior becoming evident.
As Lombok embraces its tourist potential, the need for a sustainable approach becomes critical. The question remains: can it find a balance between building a thriving tourist economy and preserving its unique identity?
