Sandiaga Uno Focuses On Preventing The Extinction Of Komodo Dragons In National Parks

Photo by Guillaume Marques on Unsplash

JAKARTA - The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, emphasized that the discourse on a ticket costing IDR 3,750,000 for tourists who want to visit the Komodo National Park (TN) and valid for one year, is still in the discussion stage.

"Regarding the discourse on the Komodo National Park canal ticket of IDR 3.7 million per year, so far there has been no discussion across ministries/agencies. This is just a discourse," said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga in a written statement, Tuesday, July 5.

He said this discourse was an effort to maintain the sustainability of the environmental conservation aspect in Komodo National Park.

Sandiaga ensured that his party will carry out intensive coordination so that the decisions taken are policies that are right on target, have the right benefits, and are timely. In addition to prioritizing conservation values and environmental sustainability, but also so that tourism can have a maximum impact on the community's economy.

"First of all we have to prioritize conservation, how to maintain the sustainability of Komodo National Park means there must be restrictions on tourist visits. Because tourist visits will increase the burden while carrying capacity is very limited. Therefore, we will now continue to coordinate across ministries/agencies to assist in the decision-making process for the study," said Menparekraf Sandiaga.

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy together with ministries/agencies will also maximally develop other destinations in Labuan Bajo so that tourist visits can be spread to other destinations. Like Waerebo, which is one of the best tourist villages, there is also a very interesting culinary tour in one of those super priority destinations.

"Moreover, next year and this year Labuan Bajo is actually the host of so many world-scale events, including the ASEAN Summit. We have to build other tourist attractions outside the Komodo National Park," said Sandiaga.

"The president will also inaugurate the waterfront which will have a unique attraction, namely gazing at the sunset without having to go to Komodo National Park. So these are alternative destinations," said Menparekraf Sandiaga.

Menparekraf Sandiaga is optimistic that, with Labuan Bajo's natural and cultural potential as well as the creative economy, whatever decision is taken later, Labuan Bajo will remain a holiday destination that presents broad business opportunities and employment opportunities for the people of East Nusa Tenggara in particular.

Regarding the tourist boat accident in Labuan Bajo some time ago, Menparekraf Sandiaga again expressed his deep condolences and concerns for the families of the victims. Through the Tourism Agency for the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority, Kemenparekraf said Sandiaga had followed up on the incident by visiting the victim and fulfilling his insurance.

"But the most important thing is that we re-check the readiness of the ship's fleet and evaluate the readiness of ship services in particular where the CHSE aspect is the main factor," said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga.

He appreciated the support from all related parties who were always ready to collaborate.

"This is our joint task, how to get CHSE certification in the future to be well received by tourists. Starting from them landing in Labuan Bajo and they go home. I call it end to end and 360 degrees CHSE," said Menparekraf Sandiaga.