Ministry of Tourism and DAN Enhance Diving Tourism Safety Education in Labuan Bajo
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar) together with Divers Alert Network (DAN) is enhancing the safety and security of diving tourism activities in Labuan Bajo through the “Edukasi Diving Safety 1000” initiative.
Assistant Deputy for Tourism Product Development at Kemenpar, Itok Parikesit, explained that safety aspects are a fundamental element in developing Indonesia’s marine tourism products, particularly to increase the competitiveness of destinations on a global level.
“This activity is included in medium to high-risk tourism efforts, so safety standards must continue to be strengthened so that our destinations are not only beautiful but also safe for domestic and international tourists,” said Itok in an official statement received in Jakarta on Friday.
“Edukasi Diving Safety 1000” is a capacity-building programme for professional marine tourism entrepreneurs focused on improving the safety and security of diving tourism activities.
The event, held in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Wednesday (15/4), involved 50 participants from the Komodo Professional Divers Association (P3KOM) and the Labuan Bajo National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).
“In line with the mandate of RPJPN 2025–2045 to prepare Labuan Bajo as a Priority Tourism Destination with a focus on developing world-class marine-based tourism, enhancing diving safety and security becomes a primary prerequisite,” stated Itok.
Itok conveyed that the “Edukasi Diving Safety 1000” programme includes educational materials covering Basic Life Support, CPR, and Emergency Oxygen Provider, delivered directly by professional instructors from the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), as provisions for the frontline guardians of diving tourism in Labuan Bajo to face potential field risks.
Through this joint effort, Itok is committed to realising zero accidents in diving activities while preserving the marine ecosystem as the main resource for Indonesia’s diving tourism.
Overall, the programme has achieved its target by reaching 1,000 beneficiaries in various premier diving destinations in Indonesia, including Labuan Bajo, Bali, Manado, Maratua, Thousand Islands, Gili Matra, and Raja Ampat.
“Through this programme, Indonesia is expected to be increasingly recognised as a world-class diving tourism destination that is not only beautiful but also safe and reliable,” said Itok.
In addition to the “Edukasi Diving Safety 1000” programme, Kemenpar together with DAN also organised a “Safety Talk” themed on the Security and Safety of Marine Tourism in Labuan Bajo, serving as a platform for strengthening coordination and collective awareness among stakeholders in realising safe, professional, and sustainable marine tourism.
As an international non-profit organisation in the field of diving safety, DAN is committed to supporting Kemenpar in strengthening the sustainable marine tourism ecosystem, including through the development of education and diving emergency services to realise Indonesia as a safe diving destination.
“Safety is the core of everything we do at Divers Alert Network. The success of the ‘1,000 beneficiaries in 1,000 days’ initiative is not just about numbers, but about lives protected. We are proud to work with Indonesia in promoting world-class safety standards,” said Cliff Richardson.
In this regard, appreciation was also expressed by the Head of the West Manggarai Regency Tourism, Creative Economy, and Culture Office, Stefanus Jemsifori, for the central government’s commitment in driving the strengthening of sustainable security and safety guarantees for marine tourism in Labuan Bajo.
The CEO of the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Executive Agency, Andhy MT Marpaung, appreciated the implementation of this programme and emphasised that safety is the main foundation in developing sustainable tourism in Labuan Bajo.
Andhy said this programme is a concrete manifestation of collaboration in building new standards for professional, resilient, and globally competitive marine tourism human resources.
“We want to ensure that every tourist who comes to Labuan Bajo not only gets a beautiful experience but also a sense of security,” said Andhy.