TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has officially set the entrance ticket of Komodo Island, in the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) region at Rp3.75 million per visitor.

Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said the new ticket price will also be imposed on Padar Island and nearby beaches. It will be effective on August 1.

“I am pretty sure this policy will attract tourists who appreciate our conservation attempts and partake in the construction of other NTT destinations upon becoming top destinations,” said Minister Uno in the weekly press briefing in Jakarta, on July 11.

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy collaborates with the NTT Provincial Government, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), and the Komodo National Park Office in developing quality and sustainable tourism to provide economic benefits and also preserve the environment.

One of which is limiting tourist visits to Komodo Island and Padar Island to a maximum of 200,000 people per year. Previously, visitors to the two conservation islands reached 300,000-400,000 people per year, thus giving a negative impact on the sustainability of the ecosystem in the area.

Sandiaga Uno on his Instagram update explained that the hefty entry fee is mainly aimed at highlighting Indonesia’s sustainability and conservation attempts in Labuan Bajo.

“This restriction is introduced so we will not regret it in the future. We should obey the new restriction and hopefully will positively affect the ecosystem,” Sandiaga Uno wrote.

ANTARA | INSTAGRAM

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