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Govt presses ahead with Komodo price hike
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This undated photo shows Padar Island, which is located between the islands of Komodo and Rinca, near Labuan Bajo, in West Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara. (Shutterstock/File)
T
he government appears determined to raise prices for entry to the islands of Komodo and Padar in Komodo National Park, despite objections from the local community and small business players, who say the hike would shackle the area’s tourism industry and would do little to preserve the park.
The government says it will raise ticket prices for the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) national park’s two most prominent tourist islands to Rp 3.75 million (US$250) per person starting from Aug. 1, citing conservation concerns.
Previously, the price was around Rp 200,000 per person.
Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said he was open to discussion with local businesses regarding the planned price hike.
“According to a study, the national park’s natural environment has a limited carrying capacity. That’s why we’ve decided to limit visits to 200,000 visitors per year,” Sandiaga said in a press release on Thursday, without noting which study he was citing.
He was likely referring to a recent study by the Komodo National Park Agency that recommended ideal yearly visitor numbers of 219,000 for Komodo Island and 39,420 for Padar Island. Otherwise, the study found, tourism would put excessive pressure on the habitat. The agency is under the Environment and Forestry Ministry.
Read also: Labuan Bajo aims to cap visitor numbers next month
