TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Experts to the Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs on Regional Development Sector Bambang Susanto Priyohadi says the government will be limiting the amount of tourists visiting Komodo Island with conservation issue as one of the reasons.

“Visitors to Komodo Island need to be limited relating to the conservation issue,” said Bambang in a focus group discussion on the development of Labuan Bajo as one of the 10 priority tourism destinations at the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) in Jakarta on Thursday, June 23, 2016.

Bambang says komodo dragon, as the main attraction in the conservation as well as tourism area, needs to be protected. The decrease in number of the komodo dragon has affected the tourism development in the area. With the new policy, the destination would be more exclusive. “The price would certainly be expensive,” he said.

Tourists are expected to alter their destinations to Labuan Bajo. Besides visiting Komodo Island, travelers can enjoy diving, natural scenery, and its rich culture.

Bambang said the government also bans constructions at the Komodo National Park, except for facility and infrastructure development within.

Other regions in Labuan Bajo such as Rinca, he added, received up to 30 percent visitors. The spending capacity in Labuan Bajo reaches Rp1.5-2.5 million per day for home stay and tour guide facilities. The ease of earning money in the region has interests many.

"We're afraid Komodo Island will experience the same and make the komodo dragons leave."

VINDRY FLORENTIN