- Title: Small Indonesian town eyes economic takeoff on the back of Komodo dragons
- Date: 28th August 2019
- Summary: LABUAN BAJO, EAST NUSA TENGGARA PROVINCE, INDONESIA (RECENT) (REUTERS) ESTABLISHMENTS IN LABUAN BAJO TOWN CRANE CONSTRUCTION SITE OF MARINA PROJECT VARIOUS OF WORKERS AT CONSTRUCTION SITE (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) GENERAL MANAGER OF MARINA PROJECT, RACHMAT WIDODO, SAYING: "Komodo is one of the icons, not only in Indonesia, but also recognised internationally. Now, what we are trying to do is explore the possibilities in one package to include tourist areas and the beauty of nature. We are sure there will be more potential in the future, especially when the government is very supportive of the programme." BAY AREA BOATS AT SEA RESORT KOMODO AIRPORT SIGN READING (Bahasa Indonesia) "KOMODO AIRPORT" EXTERIOR OF REGENT OFFICE OF WEST MANGGARAI SIGN READING (Bahasa Indonesia): "REGENT OFFICE OF WEST MANGGARAI" WEST MANGGARAI'S REGENT, AGUSTINUS DULA SITTING AND TALKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) WEST MANGGARAI REGENT, AGUSTINUS DULA, SAYING: "In terms of the potential of Labuan Bajo tourism, we will continue to focus on human resources, which means all people of West Manggarai regency will be able to adjust themselves to play a role as the host in the tourism industry. For example, maintaining the cleanliness and fulfilling the government's goal. Then the service of hotels, restaurants, all of it must be supported by talented staff. Therefore, if Komodo becomes an exclusive destination, we better be prepared." TOURISTS DRINKING TOURISTS TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) AMERICAN TOURIST, PATRICK NIDDRIE, SAYING: "If they deem that the rehabilitation is necessary then, yeah I think that is a good idea. Because, I think that when you have many, many tourists visiting one place that's a very delicate natural ecosystem. That sometimes it is important to allow the landscape to recover to its natural state." (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH TOURIST, TRACY ROBINSON, SAYING "No, I think it's a bad idea.†REPORTER ASKING: “WHY?" "I think we need tourist here, I think it's bad, I think. So long as they manage properly I think it's an asset for Indonesia. They need it." VARIOUS OF TOURISTS TALKING TO TOUR AGENCY STAFF VARIOUS OF TOURISTS VARIOUS OF SUNSET AT LABUAN BAJO PORT VARIOUS OF BOATS AT SEA
- Embargoed: 11th September 2019 01:27
- Keywords: Labuan Bajo Local travel agencies Economy Komodo National Park Closure Plan
- Location: LABUAN BAJO, EAST NUSA TENGGARA PROVINCE, INDONESIA / ANIMATION
- City: LABUAN BAJO, EAST NUSA TENGGARA PROVINCE, INDONESIA / ANIMATION
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: Government/Politics,Editors' Choice
- Reuters ID: LVA005AU4RM13
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Once a sleepy fishing town seated in the far east of Indonesia, Labuan Bajo, popularly known as the gateway to the Komodo National Park, has seen an economic boom in recent years following plans to make it one of the ten 'new Balis' by President Joko Widodo.
But the hustle and bustle of the small town of over 1,800 was disrupted recently by the government's plan to close island of Komodo to the public next year in a bid to conserve rare Komodo dragons, the largest living species of lizard.
As well as the beautiful beaches and scenery, hundreds of thousands of visitors came every year to see the dragons, only found in the wild in eastern Indonesia.
Even after the closure of the island, where about 1,700 of the animals are estimated to live, others in the national park that are home to Komodo dragons, such as the islands of Rinca and Padar, will stay open. But a potential plan by local authorities to reopen the island and make it a premium tourist destination after a year, has sent jitters among locals.
"If the closure is to bring improvement to the tourism service I agree, but if the closure is only for business, for money, I don't agree. Because if big business, big investors enter I don't think we will get anything," said Leonard, the owner of Komodo Travel Agency which organises day trips to the national park.
Just a stone's throw away from Leonard's travel agency is the construction site of a multifunctional complex known as the Marina Bay Hotel Development, a 400 billion Indonesian rupiah ($281 million) project developed by state-owned companies comprising of hotels, commercial facilities and a port.
Other luxury hotel brands like the Accor Group and Marriott International have also announced plans for new hotels in the area in 2020 and 2021.
"In terms of the potential of Labuan Bajo tourism, we will continue to focus on human resources, which means all people of West Manggarai regency will be able to adjust themselves to play a role as the host in the tourism industry. If Komodo becomes an exclusive destination, we better be prepared," said West Manggarai Regent Agustinus Dula.
Both Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park fall under the jurisdiction of the West Manggarai Regency.
(Production: Tommy Ardiansyah, Heru Asprihanto, Sekar Nasly, Angie Teo) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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