Tourist Attractions In Labuan Bajo Stay Open During The ASEAN Summit May 9-11

WEST MANGGARAI - Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Kadis Parekraf) of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Sony Libing said tourist destinations in Labuan Bajo Manggarai Barat will continue to operate even though the ASEAN Summit takes place on 9-11 May 2023.

"Although the ASEAN Summit takes place, creative economic activity, tourism, continues. We did not cancel, everything went normally," Sony said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, May 4.

Sony mengatakan tidak ada kenaikan harga tiket masuk untuk destinasi wisata bagi para wisatawan. Namun demikian, khusus Pulau Komodo dan Pulau Padar, terdapat penyesuaian harga.

"If not in other places, except Komodo Island and Padar Island there will be a slight adjustment. We give a little additional tariffs for natural guides for us to love and so do tour guides and all kinds of things. There are a little addition for them," said Sony.

As a precautionary measure to anticipate a surge in visitors to tourist sites, the Tourism and Creative Economy Office has arranged a path to open and close the entrance so that tourists and activities of the ASEAN Summit can continue to run simultaneously.

One of the locations that implements the flow of opening and closing lanes is Marina Harbor, where tourists queue to board ships to islands in Labuan Bajo.

"What is certain is that we manage this activity well so that it can continue. The ASEAN Summit is running, tourism activities, tourists want to enjoy the natural beauty and culture in Labuan Bajo, we organize it well," said Sony.

In terms of health protocols, the Tourism and Creative Economy Office urges tourists to continue to wear masks during crowds to avoid the transmission of COVID-19.

"We also urge the public and tourists to continue to wear masks, and activities that do not cause COVID-19 explosions, we continue to apply health protocols," he said.