ASITA NTT pushes for 3A-based tourism recovery after Flores earthquake

The Indonesian Travel Companies Association (ASITA) of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is pushing for the recovery of the tourism sector following the Flores earthquake through improvements to three main elements: attractions, amenities, and accessibility (3A).

Chairman of the ASITA NTT Regional Leadership Council, Oyan Kristian, said on Tuesday that these three elements need to be confirmed as functioning properly again so that tourism activities can resume and tourists return to NTT.

“So the three main requirements—amenities, accessibility, and attractions—need to be prepared again. It needs to be ensured that everything can function as it should in order to bring tourists back,” said Oyan.

According to a report on the condition of the tourism sector affected by the M7.7 Flores earthquake issued by the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Implementing Agency (BPO-LBF) as of 24 August 2026 at 19.00 WITA, 54 hotels, restaurants, and cafes were affected by the earthquake, with seven units suffering minor damage and 47 units suffering major damage.

In the tourist attraction sector, BPO-LBF recorded that seven destinations have reopened, while 11 destinations remain temporarily closed. Seven tourist attractions suffered minor damage and two others suffered major damage.

Oyan said the attraction element also needs to be confirmed as functioning again so that tourists have a choice of destinations ready to visit.

He added that tourism recovery needs to proceed alongside the recovery of communities in destination areas affected by the earthquake. According to him, communities need support to recover from trauma and resume their activities as tourism service providers.

The recovery of the three elements, he said, needs to be carried out in stages according to the results of inspections of destinations and supporting facilities. On the accessibility side, BPO-LBF recorded that six airports in Flores had reopened and were operating normally as of 24 August 2026.

In addition to physical recovery, Oyan also hopes the government and relevant authorities will issue official statements regarding tourist destinations that have been declared safe and ready to visit.

“Travel agents can tell tourists that we are ready, that tourist destinations are ready to receive visitors, and the media can also carry out campaigns and produce positive news that tourist destinations have recovered and can receive tourist visits again,” he said.