Komodo Island Tourism Industry Revenues Reach Rp27 Billion

INDUSTRY.co.id - Kupang - Head of Komodo National Park (TNK) Sudiyono said that the revenue value of non-tax state revenue (PNBP) from tourist visits in Komodo Island, West Manggarai Regency reached Rp27 billion more in 2017.

"The revenue for the state treasury is up around Rp5 billion more than the previous year's achievement of around Rp22 billion more," said Sudiyono, when contacted from Kupang on Monday (1/1/2018)

He said the state revenue was obtained from the purchase of tourist tickets that go to the island of Komodo and tickets for tracking, surfing, and diving.

According to him, the flow of tourist visits to one of the national flagship tourist destinations in the western tip of Flores Island is increasing quite high during 2017 reached more than 120,000 people, with more than 60 percent of them dominated by foreign tourists.

Conditions that, he said again, shows that the Komodo Island tour is increasingly stretched and continues to be targeted by tourists who come to witness komodo animals (Varanus komodoensis) as one of the wonders of the world (new seven wonders) and enjoy the natural beauty around it.

"From time to time indeed the flow of tourists to the island of Komodo continue booming dominated by foreign tourists who come using airplanes or cruise ships," he said again.

Increased tourist flows, encouraging it continues to make efforts to improve gradually, one of which handles waste problems.

Sudiyono admitted that the garbage problem that arises from the community activities in the villages, rivers, markets, ships and other continues to get the spotlight of tourists, so it needs cooperation of all parties concerned to handle it.

"We also continue to make sure that these garbage can be reduced over time, if any we also provide training to the community to recycle," he said.

In addition, he continued, in the year 2018 will be formed a task force involving local people will take non-organic waste to be brought to Labuan Bajo, capital of West Manggarai regency.

"Later in Labuan Bajo we will cooperate with all-round cooperative business for processing these garbage," he said again.

In addition to handling waste, he continued, other aspects such as supporting facilities and infrastructure are also built in stages, one of which is like the construction of stairs to the hill on the island of Padar.

"Of course we continue to strive for improvement, so that tourists can be safe and comfortable, so the flow of visits is expected to continue to increase so that it can bring benefits to the government and community efforts," he said. (Ant)