Komodo National Park Tourist Quota of 1,000 People per Day to Be Reviewed in 3-6 Months

Starting April 1, 2026, the number of tourists allowed to enter Komodo National Park (NP) is limited to 1,000 people per day. This restriction aims to maintain the balance between Conservation and Tourism. The East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government will evaluate the policy several months after its implementation.

“The point is we will review its impact around three to six months ahead. Because it will be evaluated,” said East Nusa Tenggara Governor Melki Laka Lena in Kupang, NTT.

Melki made this statement after attending and opening the East Nusa Tenggara 2026 Bangga Kencana Program Regional Coordination Meeting (Rakorda), held by the NTT representative of the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN).

Komodo NP is one of the Favorite Destinations for both Domestic and international tourists. The surge in visits in recent years has raised questions about environmental carrying capacity, tourist comfort, and the future of komodo conservation in its natural habitat.

Melki revealed that he basically supports the central government's decision regarding the tourist quota restriction. He hopes this decision will have a positive impact on other sectors.

“The central government has calculated the impact and will try to implement it, starting from the komodo ecology, and others in the Komodo NP area and around West Manggarai, even various conservation matters have been calculated,” he explained.

For tourist areas like Labuan Bajo, the main gateway to Komodo NP, limiting the number of visitors could create new dynamics. Fewer tourists per day doesn't always mean less revenue.

Melki said he appreciates the aspirations of the community and tourism players in Labuan Bajo. On the other hand, he believes this policy has a positive impact on the tourism sector in Labuan Bajo, as it will encourage tourists to stay longer, thereby increasing economic activity.

The logic is, when access is made more limited, tourists tend to plan longer trips, stay longer, and explore other destinations around West Flores, from cultural villages and limestone caves to inter-island voyages.

Previously, the Komodo National Park Office (BTN) had set a quota policy of 1,000 tourists per day in the Komodo NP area. This policy has been in effect since April 1, 2026.

The next three to six months will be a crucial period to see whether this restriction can protect the komodo habitat while maintaining the pulse of the Tourism Economy.