I

span class="inline inline-center">In the wild: Japanese tourists disembark from the Ms Azuka II cruise ship at Komodo National Park in West Manggarai regency, Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, on Sunday, to see komodo dragons. Loh Liang had to welcome five cruise ships in February with tourists seeing the giant lizards.(JP/Markus Makur)

Famous for its exotic and raw natural beauty, Komodo Island in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, has seen an increasing number of cruise ships from various parts of the world, with thousands of tourists flocking to Komodo National Park, home to the giant Komodo dragon.

Local authorities recorded that since the beginning of February, the island had welcomed five cruise ships from Europe and Japan.

The Europa II cruise ship, which docked at the island on Saturday, carried 2,000 passengers. Around 230 of them visited Loh Liang, the main tourist area of the national park. Two other cruise ships anchored at the island carrying thousands of passengers the following day. Hundreds of passengers of the first ship, the MS Asuka from Japan, reportedly strolled around the national park, while passengers of a European cruise ship also visited the national park area to see the giant lizards on the island that has been hailed as one of the world’s seven wonders.

Two more cruise ships are expected to arrive in the area in the coming weeks, national park head Sudiyono said.

He said most tourists enjoyed strolling around Loh Liang and participating in underwater activities at the nearby Pink Beach.

“National park staff provide information to tourists and rangers ensure they can go around the park safely and conveniently,” he said recently.

In addition to the giant lizards, another attraction is the Padar Selatan area, where visitors can take in bay views.

“The local guides, which we call naturalist guides, will accompany the domestic and foreign tourists during their visit. This is part of our effort to empower locals,” Sudiyono added.

Usman Husin, head of the Labuan Bajo seaport office, said Komodo Island had welcomed 113 ships from overseas, including cruise ships, throughout last year.

The local administration also said it had recorded 53,562 tourists in Loh Liang last year, while the entire island saw 54,246 tourists arrive on foreign ships.

Established in 1980, the national park was established for the protection and conservation of Komodo dragons. The lizards, as well as Flores’ natural beauty, have succeeded in promoting the park to become one of the top tourist attractions in the country.

Amid thriving tourism, locals in West Manggarai regency operate around 210 boats to serve tourists. Travel agents in the area also offer rides on traditional phinisi boats.

“The uniqueness of the Komodo lizard, as well as the endemic underwater creatures are the main attractions for tourists here. Their visits have raised local people’s income,” Husin said.

During low season, locals operate around 20 boats every day, while during high season they operate 30 boats.

As the ships usually dock directly at the island, state-owned seaport operator ASDP Labuan Bajo plans to build a marina in Labuan Bajo to help bolster tourist arrivals.

“If we build a marina in Labuan Bajo, we hope tour operators and travel agents will offer tour packages that include visits to Labuan Bajo, Komodo Island and Rinca Island. This will boost tourist arrivals and improve the local economy,” Husin added.