Arabian investor to build Muslim resort in Lombok

Jakarta (ANTARA News) – Akmal Saleem, an investor from Saudi Arabia, will build an Islamic tourist resort for Muslim holidaymakers on one of the islands in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Province.

“This resort will be built for Muslim families around the world, so they can enjoy their holidays but still experience a spiritual ambience,” CEO of Maarij Capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stated here on Thursday.

Akmal could not provide details on the land area required for developing the Muslim holiday resort, but he did speak about some of the facilities on offer, such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, and swimming pools, all of which would be built based on the Islamic concept. 

“We will build a hotel for Muslim families, halal restaurants, and indoor swimming pool for women,” he said, adding that the resort will also house a library for Muslim tourists.

Akmal remarked that the holiday resort would be located on a private island with a beach area for women where the entry of men would be prohibited.

“There will also be a special beach for men and the one for families. All of them will be located apart from each other,” he explained.

Akmal admitted that he had developed a liking for Lombok and Mataram after visiting the regions.

Akmal expressed greater confidence in investing in halal tourism in Lombok after learning that it had been awarded the Worlds Best Halal Honeymoon Destination and the Worlds Best Halal Tourism Destination at the World Halal Travel Award in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, in 2015. 

Akmal hoped the Muslim tourist site will be ready by the end of 2017 or early 2018.

He has invited all, both individuals and companies, to take part in the construction of the Muslim tourist resort project in Lombok.(*)