Tourism Minister Ensures Sade Traditional Village Recovery

RRI.CO.ID, Lombok - Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana personally visited the Sade Traditional Village in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), following a fire that impacted both the local community and the village's tourism ecosystem.

Minister Widiyanti’s visit demonstrated the government's concern for the affected residents and aimed to ensure that the recovery process for Sade Traditional Village is carried out in a coordinated manner, while preserving cultural values, traditional heritage, and the authenticity of traditional Sasak architecture.

"Today, I came to Sade to be with the community and meet them in person—from the women weavers to the village head. I want to hear about their concerns and needs. After all, the majority of Sade’s residents are tourism stakeholders who have long preserved traditions and serve as a vital part of the face of Lombok tourism," said Minister Widiyanti after visiting Sade Traditional Village, Central Lombok, NTB, on Thursday, 27 August 2026.

Minister Widiyanti also expressed her deep concern and empathy for all the residents of Sade Traditional Village affected by the fire. She acknowledged that the impact of the fire extended beyond structural damage to affect the lives of the people.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday, 28 August 2026, the traditional houses in Sade are not merely dwellings; they are spaces for earning a livelihood and represent a part of the history and identity of the Sasak people, passed down through generations.

Therefore, the recovery process for the Sade Traditional Village must be comprehensive, addressing not only physical reconstruction but also the sustainability of the community's social, cultural, and economic life.

"We at the Ministry of Tourism, together with the Tourism Polytechnic, are here to assist; we will coordinate with the local government on how to restore and rebuild, while ensuring the community is actively involved. God willing, we can collaborate effectively," said Tourism Minister Widiyanti during a discussion with the Sade traditional leader and community members.

Minister Widiyanti subsequently held a coordination meeting with the Governor of West Nusa Tenggara, Lalu Muhamad Iqbal; the Regent of Central Lombok, Lalu Pathul Bahri; the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda); the Lombok Tourism Polytechnic; partners; as well as various stakeholders and members of the tourism sector.

The meeting aimed to align efforts and strengthen synergy, ensuring that the recovery process for the Sade Traditional Village proceeds in a coordinated manner that meets community needs—both in the medium and long term.

The Ministry of Tourism will actively participate in and support the recovery process within its mandate, focusing specifically on restoring the tourism ecosystem, strengthening community capacity and empowerment, and fostering collaboration among all stakeholders.

The recovery of Sade Traditional Village is also part of efforts to maintain the sustainability of community-based tourism. The local community—along with their traditions, indigenous knowledge, and the authentic nature of village life—constitutes the primary strength that makes Sade a significant asset to tourism in Lombok.

Therefore, the Tourism Minister emphasized the importance of collaboration among the central government, local government, the community, the business sector, and the entire tourism sector. The goal is to ensure that the recovery process does not merely restore Sade to its pre-fire state but also enhances community resilience and the village's future sustainability.

"Hopefully, through the efforts, collaboration, and community solidarity of all parties—including the tourism ecosystem, central and local governments, and the private sector—we can work together to rebuild this village. Naturally, the villagers themselves must be involved throughout the entire process," said the Tourism Minister.

The Governor of West Nusa Tenggara, Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, expressed his appreciation to the Minister of Tourism and the accompanying delegation for visiting Lombok in person to discuss the post-fire response for the Sade Traditional Village and to provide guidance on key priorities, ranging from humanitarian concerns to the village's reconstruction.