West Manggarai Government Mandates Tax Clearance for Tourist Boats in Labuan Bajo

The West Manggarai Regency Government in East Nusa Tenggara has officially mandated that all tourist boats operating in the waters of Labuan Bajo must settle local taxes and levies before obtaining a Sailing Approval Letter (SPB) or Sailing Permit. The policy is outlined in West Manggarai Regent Letter Number 970/Bapenda/680/VI/2026, dated 29 June 2026, signed by Regent Edistasius Endi and addressed to the Head of the Class III Port Authority Office (KSOP) of Labuan Bajo. In the letter, the Regent stressed that fulfilling tax and levy obligations is a primary requirement before tourist boats are permitted to operate. “Tax and levy obligations must be met by all tourist boats and are an absolute condition for the issuance of a Sailing Permit,” Edistasius asserted. According to him, the policy is part of an effort to build orderly, transparent, and equitable maritime tourism governance, while optimising locally generated revenue (PAD) from the tourism sector. “I hope this step can foster close synergy between the regional government and the KSOP, and create orderly, transparent, and accountable maritime tourism management. The taxes collected will be used to improve tourism services and regional development for the wider community’s welfare,” he said. The policy refers to West Manggarai Regency Regional Regulation Number 6 of 2023 on Regional Taxes and Levies. Its implementation follows a coordination meeting between the West Manggarai Regency Government and the Labuan Bajo KSOP held on 18 June 2026. In accordance with the letter, the Regional Tax Optimisation Team will conduct regular supervision of taxpayer compliance, while the Class III KSOP Labuan Bajo is requested to ensure every tourist boat has settled its tax and levy obligations before issuing a Sailing Permit. Labuan Bajo, as the gateway to Komodo National Park, currently hosts hundreds of tourist boats serving visitors, ranging from daily trip boats and phinisi liveaboards to speedboats and traditional tourist vessels. Based on data collected by the regional government and relevant agencies, the number of operating fleets exceeds 400 boats, making this sector a significant potential source for increasing locally generated revenue. Through this policy, the West Manggarai Regency Government hopes all maritime tourism operators will comply with tax obligations in an orderly manner, so that infrastructure development, public services, and destination enhancement in Labuan Bajo can continue to be improved.