Cruise Ship Visits Surge, Komodo National Park Adjusts Tourist Quota Limits

Labuan Bajo, Kompas.com - The Komodo National Park Authority has separated the quota for cruise ship tourist visits from the previously set regular quota of 365,000 visits per year.

One reason is that cruise ship guests are bound by the operational standards set by the cruise operators themselves.

This was stated by the Coordinator for Public Relations, Cooperation, and Licensing Services at the Komodo National Park Authority (BTNK), Maria Rosdalima Panggur, to Kompas.com on Thursday (2/4/2026).

“Initially, cruise ships were planned to use the remaining quota from the total annual quota. For example, if there is a remaining quota of 47,000 from January to March, that remainder would be allocated for cruises and visits during peak season,” she explained.

She added that, besides the cruise operators having very strict standard operating procedures (SOP), including waste management, cruise tourists only visit two specific locations: Loh Liang and Loh Buaya.

Furthermore, she continued, cruise guests typically only conduct half-day visits to sites with short trekking paths because most of their guests are elderly.

“Cruise ship guests are not permitted to climb Pulau Padar because the navigation route is not feasible for large ships,” Maria explained.

Maria said that if combined with the number of cruise guests, the total visits to Komodo National Park in 2026 are predicted to exceed 365,000 visitors.

She noted that the estimated number of cruise guests this year is 35,000 visitors.

“The previous year recorded around 35,000 tourists from cruises entering throughout the year, with about 40 ships,” she stated.

“Currently, the Siora website version system is being developed, which will separate the booking paths for quotas between cruises and regular tourists,” she concluded.