Titiek Soeharto Agrees to Increase Tourist Quota for Komodo National Park in Labuan Bajo
Chair of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Siti Hediati Hariyadi or Titiek Soeharto, has agreed that the visitor quota to Komodo National Park in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, should be increased. Currently, in accordance with Ministry of Forestry regulations, the quota is limited to just 1,000 tourists per day.
“We request that it be reviewed again, so the quota can be raised,” stated Chair of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Siti Hediati Hariyadi or Titiek Soeharto, during a working visit to Labuan Bajo on Friday (24/4/2026). In addition to the Commission IV delegation, Deputy Minister of Forestry Rohmat Marzuki was also present.
Twenty-two representatives from tourism associations in Labuan Bajo attended the discussion. Regarding the tourism operators’ proposal to raise the quota to 3,000 per day, Titiek deemed that quota suggestion too high. According to her, the quota increase must be gradual. “Not yet, we have to increase it slowly,” said the Gerindra Party politician.
“This is just about to be reviewed again, slowly but not 1,000,” Titiek emphasised.
During the dialogue with tourism operators, Titiek asked Deputy Minister of Forestry Rohmat Marzuki, who was present at the event, to immediately increase the quota.
“Oh, perhaps whatever, sir, I’m here, so let’s raise the quota a bit to make them happy, it can’t be 1,000 again, increase it a little, how much can it be, sir,” Titiek asked Rohmat, who was sitting beside her, to applause from the tourism operators.
Rohmat could not immediately agree to Titiek’s request. Because he needed to coordinate first with Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni. “Of course, I must report to the Forestry Minister regarding the aspiration to increase the quota,” said Rohmat.
He stated that during the three weeks of implementing this quota, there were eight days where the quota was increased beyond 1,000 per day. “But I need to convey that from 1 to 22 yesterday, there were 8 days where we raised the quota due to field adjustments. Some at 1,100, 1,200, 1,300. You all surely understand that,” said Rohmat.
Tourism Operators Request 3,000 Quota
Previously, in the dialogue, tourism operators emphasised that they did not reject the visitor restrictions to Komodo National Park, but the quota should be raised to 3,000 per day for now.
“We from our friends do not reject restrictions, we do not reject conservation because we know our future depends on how we protect the environment, how we can build this country from the sustainable tourism sector,” said tourism association representative Budi Widjaja.
“So we request that it be reconsidered, if we have a proposal at a minimum of 3,000 (per day) for now but something that is not absolute that we must do together,” Budi continued.
The Chair of the Labuan Bajo Branch Leadership Council of the Indonesian Marine and Water Tourism Entrepreneurs Association (Gahawisri) said the quota then needs to be evaluated and reviewed considering ecological conditions and investments in Labuan Bajo.
“Evaluation and joint review, the number can go up or down. Down if there is ecological damage, up if there is investment for infrastructure improvements,” said Budi.
This proposal for a 3,000 per day quota also considers the results of the 2022 carrying capacity study for Komodo National Park. That annual visits to Komodo National Park could reach 800,000 or more than 2,000 per day. That quota is far above the current annual quota of 365,000 per year or an average of 1,000 per day. This 365,000 annual quota study was made in 2018.
“Perhaps the data from that study needs to be reviewed again, while the 2022 data includes beach values and snorkelling totals of 800,000 per year. So if divided, it’s around 2,100 - 2,300 per day. That’s 2022, because in 2018 there was no DSP (super-priority tourism destination), in 2022 there is DSP, there is investment to increase carrying capacity,” said Budi.