Komodo National Park Limits Visitors to 1,000 Per Day, Sparking Mixed Reactions
The planned limitation of tourist visits to Komodo National Park, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), to 1,000 people per day, which will be implemented starting in April 2026, has triggered various responses from tourism businesses in Labuan Bajo.
The policy, issued by the Ministry of Forestry through the Komodo National Park Agency (BTNK), is said to be a step to control the carrying capacity of the conservation area.
The Head of the Labuan Bajo branch of the Indonesian Marine and Water Tourism Entrepreneurs Association (Gahawisri), Budi Widjaja, said that the policy should be accompanied by up-to-date and transparent studies.
“If the limit of 1,000 people per day is purely based on the latest ecological limits, then it should be explained openly. But if it still refers to old studies, then there needs to be an update of data that is relevant to current conditions,” he said, Thursday (February 26).
According to Budi, since 2018 until now, many changes have occurred, starting from increased flight connectivity, strengthening of tourism port infrastructure, to the construction of supporting facilities in the national park area.
He said that the approach to calculating carrying capacity should consider the increasingly widespread distribution of marine tourism, not only based on the land area.
“The pattern of visits has changed. Tourists are spread through marine activities. So the approach to carrying capacity must also be comprehensive,” he said.
Budi also emphasized the importance of consistent implementation of quotas so as not to create a perception of unfairness among business actors.
In response to this, the Public Relations Officer of BTNK, Maria Panggur, affirmed that the limitation is carried out solely to maintain the sustainability of the area.
“Our goal is purely for sustainable tourism. Like our friends here, my family and the families of my friends at BTNK also work in tourism, and this is so that the contents of TN Komodo can be enjoyed for the next 5-10 years, or even longer,” she said, Thursday (February 26).
Maria said that her party recorded all input and criticism from business actors.
“We record all input, criticism, and constructive suggestions to make this program run effectively. We study everything, see the suitability with existing regulations, look for the best way while paying attention to management capabilities,” she explained.
She admitted that not all proposals are easy to implement in the field. “All suggestions may be possible, some of which seem easy but the implementation in the field becomes a challenge. Because we are still in the trial period, all issues have begun to be identified and efforts to mitigate them can begin to be mapped,” added Maria.
BTNK ensures that this policy is still in the evaluation and adjustment stage before being fully implemented in April 2026. (H-4)
The Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the West Manggarai Police, AKP Lufthi Darmawan Aditya, said that the room was in good condition and no signs of damage or resistance were found.
As a National Strategic Tourism Area (KSPN), Labuan Bajo continues to strengthen waste management efforts to maintain environmental sustainability as well as the quality of life of the community.
The East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Police are investigating two officials from the Port Authority and Port Authority (KSOP) Class III Labuan Bajo in connection with the accident of the tourist ship KM Putri Sakinah.
The PDIP highlighted the aspect of safety in tourist transportation.
The Class III Labuan Bajo Port Authority and Port Authority (KSOP) Office, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has completely closed tourist cruises to the Komodo National Park waters due to extreme weather.