Komodo Island Entry Fee Set at Premium Price of Rp14 Million
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2 October 2019 14:48 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan says tourists planning to visit the popular Komodo Island in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) will be charged with an Rp14 million annual membership entry fee.
The cost to visit the island of the Komodo dragons has been set intentionally high to control the number of tourists that enter the conserved tourism area.
“We have determined this to protect the komodo dragons that are already acknowledged as a protected World Heritage,” said the minister on Wednesday, October 2.
Moreover, Minister Luhut will offer an opportunity for the island’s management to be controlled by philanthropy organizations via tender. These organizations will later be responsible to control who purchases the tickets to the island.
“Those that care about the environment will be offered [this chance],” said Luhut.
His initial plan is to create an annual premium membership fee with profits from those ticket sales will be used entirely to maintain the Komodo dragon’s protected habitat.
FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA