ESG Principles Key to Strengthening Tourism Destination Competitiveness
The Labuan Bajo Flores Special Economic Zone Authority (BPOLBF) has reinforced Labuan Bajo Flores’ position as a sustainable tourism destination through participation in the 4th Edition of The Meru Eco Tourism Week at the Bali Beach Convention Center in Sanur, Bali, on Saturday, 30 May 2026. The event, themed ‘Tourism as a Driver of Nature Conservation: Transformation from Extractive Models to Regenerative Bioeconomy,’ serves as a platform for stakeholders to collaborate on implementing environmentally, socially, and governance-responsible tourism practices.
Opening The Meru Eco Tourism Week 2026, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana emphasised that implementing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles is now crucial for attracting investment and enhancing the competitiveness of tourist destinations.
‘We hope more tourism businesses are motivated to adopt ESG principles and view sustainability as a strategic long-term investment,’ said Widiyanti.
She added that the government is taking concrete steps to promote sustainable tourism development across destinations, including building eco-friendly infrastructure such as waste management systems in Labuan Bajo, destination revitalisation, and various environmental recovery programmes and carrying capacity studies.
‘The Tourism Ministry is also implementing the Clean Tourism Movement as part of efforts to raise public awareness about the importance of cleanliness and sanitation at tourist destinations,’ she said.
‘This initiative aligns with President Prabowo’s Indonesian ASRI Movement (Safe, Healthy, Clean, and Beautiful), which aims to strengthen national waste management,’ Widiyanti concluded.
Meanwhile, Eco Tourism Bali Co-Founder Suzy Hutomo said the Eco Tourism Week is not just a discussion forum but also a platform to strengthen stakeholder collaboration in promoting sustainable tourism practices.
At the event, BPOLBF seized the opportunity to showcase local community-led eco-tourism initiatives in Flores. Beyond highlighting natural and cultural assets, BPOLBF promoted sustainable tourism practices that directly benefit communities and support environmental conservation.
Promotions focused on three standout village tourism sites: Warloka Village, Wae Lolos Village, and Tanjung Boleng Village. These villages integrate environmental conservation, community empowerment, and authentic tourist experiences.
Acting BPOLBF Director General Andhy MT Marpaung stated that this participation is part of BPOLBF’s strategy to expand Flores tourism promotions beyond Komodo National Park.
‘Through this approach, we aim to introduce more alternative destinations with unique appeal that can help distribute tourism economic benefits more evenly,’ he said.
He stressed that the participation also reflects BPOLBF’s commitment to developing high-quality, inclusive, and sustainable tourism. ‘We aim to show that every trip to Flores not only offers memorable experiences but also contributes to environmental conservation and local community welfare,’ Andhy said.
He emphasised that promoting alternative destinations is crucial for evenly distributing tourist flows across Flores. During the promotions, BPOLBF introduced various alternative travel packages in Flores, including trekking tours to the Nine Summits of Flores across different regions.
Additionally, tourists were introduced to cross-Flores travel packages connecting key destinations, including the growing network of village tourism across regencies. ‘This travel concept is expected to encourage tourists to stay longer and explore Flores more extensively,’ he added.
BPOLBF also presented plans for Catholic religious tourism development being coordinated with local dioceses in Flores. ‘Through participation in The Meru Eco Tourism Week 2026, we hope more tourists, industry players, and strategic partners will recognise Flores’ sustainable tourism potential and support the conservation of nature and culture as part of building globally competitive, high-quality destinations,’ Andhy concluded.