Labuan Bajo Development Efforts To Become A Superpremium Destination

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that the development of the Labuan Bajo super premium destination will begin to be addressed at the beginning of this year and there are at least five zones or areas that need to be reorganized.

Reporting from the Setkab website, this was revealed by President Jokowi while chairing the Limited Meeting (ratas) on the Development of Labuan Bajo Tourism Destinations at Plataran Komodo Resort, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, Monday, January 20.

"The first is related to the arrangement of the area. We really want the tourist market segment that is present here to be the ones whose expenses are greater than most tourists. And because of that, we really need to do integration, whether related to tidiness, cleanliness and comfort, security for tourists, "said the President starting the briefing.

President @jokowi chaired the Intern Meeting on the Development of Labuan Bajo Tourism Destinations, Monday (20/1), at Plataran Komodo Resort, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. pic.twitter.com/LWGG1tcV1l

- Cabinet Secretariat (@setkabgoid) January 20, 2020

Furthermore, the President said, although there are several star hotels with various existing facilities, he also sees that additional hotels are still needed for Labuan Bajo.

"There are five zones that we have to arrange, namely the first in Bukit Pramuka, then the second in Kampung Air, the third in the container port and passenger dock, and then the fourth in the marina area, the fifth in the Kampung Ujung zone," said the President.

The Head of State said that the five zones will become a continuous public space that presents a beautiful landscape and becomes a generator that drives development as well as a center for community activity in Labuan Bajo.

"The second is related to infrastructure. I hope this early this year the runway and terminal will start soon, "said the President while confirming this to the Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi.

If everything is ready, continued the President, it is hoped that later this airport will get a lot of traffic, traffic, which is getting more and more because in terms of management it has the ability and network to bring tourists to Labuan Bajo.

With regard to the preparation of human resources, the Head of State wants local communities to enjoy and be part of the development being carried out.

"Therefore, local people's human resources must quickly improve their skills and competence, both in terms of skills that are tailored to the existing needs in the tourism industry that we want to work on," said the President.

Regarding micro, small, and medium-sized businesses that are here, the President asked not to be left behind. He hopes that later there will also be a creative hub that will work on local products, both in terms of packaging, design, price, and others.

"We hope that in the future weaving, coffee, handicrafts, special foods can really grow. And along with that, local cultural attractions, local arts must also be more alive and liven up the area in Labuan Bajo, "said the President.

Also attending the Limited Meeting this time were Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy / Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency Wishnutama, Minister of PUPR Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Minister of BUMN Erick Thohir, Head of BNPB Lieutenant General (TNI) Doni Monardo, Head of BASARNAS Laksdya Bagus Puruhito, Governor of NTT Viktor Laiskodat, Regent of West Manggarai Agustinus Ch. Dula.