REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KUPANG -- The Central Government has determined Labuan Bajo, a small port city in the western end of the Flores Island of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), as an area under a Tourism Authority Body (BOP). Head of the Tourism Promotion Departmenr of NTT Creative Economy and Tourism Service Eden Klakik said the port city was put under BOP with a presidential regulation No. 32 of 2018 signed on April 5 this year.

The government is building an international airport in Labuan Bajo, which is the main access to the famous Komodo Island the habitat of the ancient dragon Komodo. "We just received information from the Tourism Ministry that Labuan Bajo has been determined through a presidential regulation as an area under BOP as from April 5 this year," Eden said.

Head of the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) tourism office Marius Ardu Jelamu said development of the International Airport in Labuan Bajo, in the district of Manggarai Barat, Flores, has become a priority project by the government to facilitate direct international flights.

"Expansion of the airport named Komodo airport, is priority in the government development program, to facilitate tourists visiting the Komodo island," Marious said.

The Komodo island is one of the World's Seven Wonders of Nature and it one of 10 tourist destinations to be developed by the government, Marius said earlier

Caci Dance performed at Pede beach, Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara.

The decision followed the regulation determining the Komodo island a Komodo National Park (TNK) in 1980. TNK become official habitat of the giant lizards which are not found in other places in the world.

Its natural riches, including the rare wild animals and aqua cultures in its sea have attracted many foreign tourists to the island. The government has also built facilities for snorkeling, diving and trekking in that area.

Labuan Bajo became one of 10 priority tourist destination areas in 2016 expected to contribute to reaching the target of 20 million visits of foreign tourists to the country in 2019. Labuan Bajo alone is predicted to chalk up 500,000 visits in 2019 or a five fold increase from 90,000 in 2015.

During the long holidays of Ramadhan and Eid al-Fitr, tourists mostly foreign tourists visited the island of Komodo.

The number of domestic tourists also grew spending some time of the long holidays ahead and during Ied ul Fitr, to see the rare animal species.

Since early June, 2018, more tourists mainly foreign tourists have visited the island, now one of the world's seven wonders of nature. Normally more tourists visit the island until the high season in August, the tourism authorities said.

It is not rare that tour operators reject demand for their service because of limited availability of vessels for transport to that island.

Tourist Minister Arief Yahya had said that promotion of the Komodo airport into an international airport would attract more foreign tourists to the Komodo island.

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