Labuan Bajo's Irony: National Super Priority Destination with Life-Threatening Tourism Facilities

Tourism expert Florianus Suryon has assessed the tragedy of two Austrian tourists dying at Cunca Wulang Waterfall in Mbeliling District, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), as a severe blow to Labuan Bajo’s reputation as a national super priority destination. The Austrian couple, Jurgen, 54, and Astrid, 56, died after falling from a suspension bridge at the waterfall site. The incident drew public attention as it occurred at a popular attraction within Labuan Bajo’s super priority zone on 24 May. According to Suryon, the fatal accident exposed a serious imbalance between rising tourist numbers and the deteriorating condition of infrastructure at several tourist sites in West Manggarai. ‘This is a deeply embarrassing incident. Labuan Bajo is marketed as a world-class destination, yet basic safety facilities are crumbling, neglected, and endangering tourists,’ he said on 27 May. He highlighted the longstanding concerning state of the suspension bridge at Cunca Wulang Waterfall, with rotten support beams and minimal maintenance despite high tourist footfall. Despite rising visitor numbers—411,349 in 2024 (229,763 international and 181,586 domestic) and projected 500,000 in 2025—infrastructure has not kept pace. Suryon argued that the surge in tourism should have been accompanied by improved facilities, particularly visitor safety measures. ‘Don’t just focus on visitor numbers and local revenue while neglecting whether facilities are safe. Tourism cannot be polished on social media while on-the-ground conditions are left to decay,’ he said. He added that poor infrastructure is not limited to Cunca Wulang. Rangko Cave in Komodo District also faces similar issues, with a dilapidated and unsafe wharf posing risks to tourists and local operators. ‘The Rangko wharf is damaged and concerning. This shows many of our destinations are unprepared to uphold their super priority status,’ he said. According to Suryon, the government has prioritised tourism branding over building foundational elements such as safety, destination management, and facility maintenance. He stressed that while tourism is touted as the engine of West Manggarai’s economy, management has not matched the scale of this narrative. ‘Tourism is called the backbone of the regional economy, yet infrastructure is left old, rotten, and unmaintained. This is a huge irony,’ he said. Suryon urged local authorities and stakeholders to conduct comprehensive safety audits of tourism facilities in West Manggarai, especially popular international destinations. ‘Don’t wait for the next victim to act. This Austrian tourist tragedy must serve as a wake-up call that visitor safety cannot be ignored,’ he concluded.