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Labuan Bajo people voice concerns over developing tourism before public facilities
“I think it is too soon to turn Labuan Bajo into a priority tourist destination when the region itself still needs a lot of improvement,” Syaifullah Rahim, a Flores native, told The Jakarta Post.
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Padar Island, Labuan Bajo, Nusa Tenggara Timur.
W
ith mighty Komodo dragons and scenic islands that are not found anywhere else in the world, the Indonesian government is eager to introduce the uniqueness that Labuan Bajo offers to world travelers, but it will have to make a concerted effort to get the local people on board.
The residents of the fishing town on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) say that the town lacks basic infrastructure and is generally unprepared to welcome “premium” visitors.
Labuan Bajo is on course to become one of the government’s five “super priority” tourist destinations. Most recently, officials have come up with a plan to turn Komodo National Park, a 1.5-hour ride by speedboat from Labuan Bajo to its westerly neighbor Komodo Island, into a premium destination with a higher entrance fee, and an international airport project in the pipeline.
Over the past year, the people of Labuan Bajo have heard about many plans from the local administration, from closing down the Komodo park for conservation purposes to attracting only “rich” tourists as a premium destination.
But actions speak louder than words, and the people have seen no efforts to develop supporting infrastructure in Labuan Bajo. The fishing town has an airport – confusingly named Komodo Airport – and a seaport that are the main entry points for tourists to reach Komodo Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as a biosphere reserve that is home to the endemic Komodo dragon.
Read also: ‘Maybe Leonardo DiCaprio can promote Labuan Bajo?’: Local government hopes to reach stars
