Gov`t Targets 500,000 Foreign Tourists to Visit Labuan Bajo
23 June 2016 21:48 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-The government has targetted 500,000 foreign travelers to visit Labuan Bajo by 2019.
“Labuan Bajo has been dominated by foreign travelers,” Expert for Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs on Regional Development Sector Bambang Susanto Priyohadi said in a Focus Group Discussion on the development of Labuan Bajo as one of the 10 priority tourism destinations in Jakarta on Thursday, June 23, 2016.
Throughout 2015, he said, about 91,000 foreign tourists have visited Labuan Bajo. They spent the holiday there in around 3 to 5 days. With the target of 500,000 visitors, the revenue is expected to reach Rp20-60 trillion.
According to Bambang, the government is focusing more on the absorption of foreign travelers than local travelers. “We realized that there have been many damages caused by local tourists,” he said.
Bambang said the local tourists, including the local government, tend to be insensitive toward environmental damages. It was foreigners working as operators at the area who tend to be more vigorous in protecting the environment.
The government will offer four main tourism packages in Labuan Bajo. Besides Komodo Island, tourists can enjoy diving in clear waters with beautiful coral reefs.
At the eastern side of Labuan Bajo, people can enjoy a mountainous scenery with its cold temperature as well as its rich culture.
To attract more tourists, Bambang said the government has planned to develop infrastructures in the region. “We will create a tourist hub.” Infrastructures like access to Labuan Bajo from land, sea and air will also be improved, he added.
The government will also be developing the locals so that they can manage their own tourism potential. So far, tour guides have been dominated by foreigners.
VINDRY FLORENTIN