Komodo Island seeking endorsement by Hollywood stars - New Straits Times

JAKARTA: The Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority is considering promoting the surrounding attractions, including Komodo Island, by courting international celebrities.

Tourism authority head Shana Fatina Sukarsono told The Jakarta Post that Labuan Bajo had gained popularity through social media and believed endorsements from Hollywood stars could boost its promotional efforts.

Labuan Bajo is among the government’s five super-priority destinations dubbed the New Balis, which is part of its efforts to expand the tourism sector as a new source of economic growth.

Shana said that exposure through an international celebrity could boost the popularity of one of the region’s main attractions that can be reached from Labuan Bajo, namely Komodo Island which is home to the Komodo dragon.

The island was named a United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve in 1986.

Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said that the government had decided to make Komodo Island an exclusive destination with premium pricing for access.

The proceeds from the access fee would be used for conservation and community development programmes.

His statement followed another from East Nusa Tenggara Governor Viktor B. Laiskodat who said that the island needed to be closed to the public to stop tourism from interfering in the dragons’ mating and egg hatching cycles and to ward off poaching of the reptiles’ natural prey.

“Komodo Island will not be closed. We will manage it with the central government and regional administration and other stakeholders, so there will be regulations on limitations of tourist numbers to Komodo Island through ticketing,” Luhut said.

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Komodo Island seeking endorsement by Hollywood stars - New Straits Times
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