JakartaGlobe-Aug 1
A new, increased fee to visit Komodo and Padar islands in Komodo National Park, East Nusa Tenggara, has become effective on Monday, along with a government-imposed limit for the island’s visits of 200,000 people per year. The new fee and visitors cap is part of the government’s effort to limit the destruction mass tourism could bring upon the prehistoric komodo dragon’s only natural habitat. Yet, how the government implements the new measures leave much to be desired, with opposition growing among local hospitality business operators. According to a report from Antara news service, Hospitality business operators in Labuan Bajo, the coastal town serving as a gate to the national park islands, has begun their month-long strike on Monday in protest of the new government policy. Under the new rule, a visitor must pay Rp 3.75 million ($250) per year to visit Komodo Island, one of the largest islands with the dragon in the national park, and Padar Island, famous for its scenic hills and pink-colored beach. The new fees also apply to water-sport activities, like diving or snorkeling, within the national park border. The new fee is 25 times more expensive than the previous one of Rp 150,000 per visit. Today, paying the old fee would only get a visitor a trip to Rinca Island, which is also the home of the komodo dragon but arguably has less-scenic hills and beaches. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo gave the government’s rationale for the new policy in a statement broadcasted Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel on July 21. “We want conservation, but we also want [to increase] the economy through tourism, through tourist visits. These two must be balanced,” Jokowi said. “So, if you want to see Komodo dragons, please go to Rinca Island. There are Komodo dragons as well. How much does it cost? The same,” he said. Read more at: https://jakartaglobe.id/lifestyle/strike-ensues-as-govt-begins-charging-250-per-year-to-visit-komodo-padar-islands
