TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Thousands of visitors flocked to the DTW Batu Cermin Square in Flores where the main event of the Komodo Festival 2017 was held yesterday, March 5, 2017, to celebrate the 37th birthday of the Komodo National Park. The Komodo Festival 2017 was started on February 4.
“This is the very first Komodo festival, and it will be held again next year with the support from the Tourism Minister. We believe that the target of 500,000 foreign tourist [arrivals] by 2019 will be achieved,” West Manggarai Regent Agustinus CH Dhula said on Sunday.
(Also read: Google Doodle Celebrates Komodo National Park`s 37th Birthday)
Labuan Bajo, a neighboring city of the Komodo National Park, has seen improvements in attractions, amenities, and accessibility after being named as ‘New Bali’ tourist destination.
“The difference has been very apparent, particularly the development in the area. [The area] has seen improvements in its port, airport, electricity [supply], roads and economy,” Agustinus said.
Ratna Surant, an assistant for foreign marketing strategy department at the Tourism Ministry, has expressed her support for Komodo Festival 2017. Ratna added that MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi’s had made a 3-day visit to Labuan Bajo early this year.
Ratna went on to say that Labuan Bajo is home to various tourist attractions namely Pede Beach, Gorontalo Beach, Waringin Hill Top and Batu Cermin Cave. Moreover, it boasts coastal tourist attractions in nearby islands such as Wae Cicu, Bidadari Island, Batu Gosok/Kanawa and the Komodo National Park.
The Komodo National Park today celebrates its 37th birthday. The area flanked by the islands of Sumbawa and Flores was named a national park on March 6, 1980.
BISNIS.COM
