TEMPO.CO, Kupang- East Nusa Tenggara Governor Viktor Bungtily Laiskodat asserted that Komodo National Park would be specially designed as a conservation area in a bid to preserve the Komodo dragons and their natural habitat. Thus, he was determined to limit the number of tourists.

The governor made the announcement after welcoming the visit of the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry’s special staffer for security affairs, Insp. Gen. Adi Deriyan Jayamarta, and the entourage in his office on Wednesday, August 5, 2020.

Viktor explained that tourists wishing to visit Komodo Island must be registered as members. The quota is also limited to a maximum of 50,000 visitors per year.

“Why is Komodo Island set as a premium-level tourist destination? Because we want them (Komodo dragons) living in the wild which, of course, will attract tourists and have high selling points,” Viktor added.

Viktor said that contrasted to neighboring islands, Komodo Island must remain natural without buildings of lodgings or others.

“I demand no construction of hotels or resorts in the Komodo National Park, those are available in Tanamori. I want only floating hotels with 80 to 100 rooms around the area,” Viktor said.

Read: Komodo Island Open for Tourists Again on June 15

JOHN SEO