Tourism leaders in Indonesia are working to encourage tourists to visit different areas of the country, with Austrian tourists remaining the most frequent international arrivals to Bali.
Leaders are looking to encourage a new generation of travelers to explore beyond the Island of the Gods.
The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism is targeting Australian tourists to visit Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara. Labuan Bajo is best known as the gateway to the Komodo National Park and is one of Indonesia’s super five priority destinations.
Indonesia’s super five priority destinations were regions identified to become the ‘next Balis’ for domestic and international tourists alike. The top five super priority destinations included Labuan Bajo, Lake Toba in Sumatra, Borobudur in Java, Mandalika in Lombok, and Likupung in North Sulawesi.
The Director of Domestic Tourism Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism, Dwi Marhen Yono, told reporters, “Austria is a market for tourists that is starting to grow.” He shared his hopes that more airlines will open direct flight routes between Australia and Labuan Bajo.
At present, tourists must first fly into Bali or Jakarta before hopping over to Labuan Bajo. This has proven beneficial to both tourists and the Bali tourism sector. Until now, international tourists have been encouraged to use Bali as a kind of launchpad for adventures across the archipelago.
At present, the Bali – Labuan Bajo – Bali route is served by only a select few airlines, including Batik Air, Indonesia AirAsia, and Garuda Indonesia. Flight time is 1 hour and 20 minutes. Yono also shared his vision for Labuan Bajo becoming a central hub for travel within East Nusa Tenggara. He wants to see more tourists exploring cities like Kupanh, Ende, Maumere, and Ruteng.
Yono shared that Labuan Bajo and East Nusa Tenggara, more broadly, are ready to welcome tourists and are excited to do so. He noted, “The point is, the infrastructure is complete and by the end of 2024, 411,000 will have come to Labuan Bajo.” Just as Bali is known as the Island of the Gods, Labuan Bajo is known as the Land of Thousands Susnets owing to its incredible array of coastal viewpoints.
Yono explained that there is more to Labuan Bajo than just Komodo National Park. He highlighted destinations such as Natas Parapuar as a must-visit spot for holidaymakers and travellers.
New tourism attractions are also being developed across Labuan Bajo by the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Implementation Agency, known as BPOLBF.
As the Acting President Director of BPOLBF, Yono shared, “There are activities that tourists need, such as arts and culture in Labuan Bajo every Saturday afternoon, just like in Uluwatu in Bali.”
He also noted that there are 42 official diving spots around the waters of Komodo National Park for experienced divers and snorkelers to enjoy.
Yono and his teams are eager to welcome more visitors but are just as keen to ensure that sustainable tourism remains a top priority. He told reporters that he wants to see quality tourism developed in the region, rather than mass tourism.
Yono shared, “Labuan Bajo is exclusive, with extraordinary natural and cultural attractions. We don’t want mass tourism, but quality tourism.”
He revealed that he is in talks with airlines to try to establish more direct international services to the region. The tourism promotion campaigns and initiatives created by BPOLBF now have the backing of Air Asia Indonesia.
The Acting President Director of Indonesia AirAsia, Akhmad Sadikin, reiterated that there are eight domestic routes and twenty-five international routes served by the airline at present and that plans are in process to expand the offering. Sadikin told reporters, “We hope this initiative will strengthen Labuan Bajo’s appeal because its potential is enormous.”
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