Building Tourism Loyalty Through Collaboration and Gamification

Labuan Bajo, October 21, 2025 — On Tuesday (Oct 21), Engel Vione, Founder of Lingkotech, took part in a discussion titled “Developing an Integrated Tourism Loyalty Management System through Cross-Sector Collaboration and Gamification.” The session was hosted at the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (LBFTA) office.

The discussion brought together key players from the creative industry, such as Bajo Talk Podcast; tourism associations, including the Indonesian Tourist Guide Association (HPI) and Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) of West Manggarai; as well as representatives from BPOLBF on behalf of the government.

Triple Helix Collaboration for Sustainable Tourism

Prof. Diena M. Lemy, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism at Pelita Harapan University (UPH), explained that this research aims to develop an integrated tourism loyalty management system using an adaptive gamification approach.

Through the triple helix model—which connects academia, government, and industry—this initiative seeks to create a more interactive and sustainable tourism ecosystem.

“Gamification allows us to use game elements such as points, challenges, and rewards to increase user engagement,” said Prof. Diena. “In tourism, this can motivate visitors to actively engage with destinations, support local MSMEs, and participate in cultural and environmental preservation.”

LBFTA’s Support: Building a Data-Driven Tourism Ecosystem

Dwi Marhen Yono, Acting Managing Director of LBFTA, expressed strong support for this initiative, emphasizing that Labuan Bajo has great potential to become a living laboratory for collaborative tourism innovation.

“BPOLBF supports this research because it aligns with our mission to build a data-driven and innovation-based tourism ecosystem,” said Marhen. “Through cross-sector collaboration and experience-based approaches, we can create destinations that are more inclusive and sustainable.”

Tourism Loyalty Grows from Experience and Emotion

Representing the creative industry and the technology sector, Engel Vione, Founder of Lingkotech, shared insights based on his experience working with partners across the tourism ecosystem.

“Tourism loyalty doesn’t come from discounts alone—it grows from memorable experiences,” Engel explained. “When travelers feel welcomed, inspired, and emotionally connected to the destination, they naturally want to return.”

He also proposed an idea for a tourism loyalty program powered by gamification, where travelers could earn points and rewards through various activities:

• Buying souvenirs from government-supported MSMEs,

• Watching cultural performances, or

• Joining community-based tourism programs.

The collected points could then be redeemed for discounts, exclusive souvenirs, or cultural experiences. This model not only encourages tourism loyalty but also empowers local businesses and strengthens community involvement—especially for Komodo travel operators and local artisans.

Labuan Bajo: A Digital Innovation Playground

The discussion highlighted that Labuan Bajo is not just a world-class tourism destination—it is also emerging as a digital innovation hub for sustainable tourism development.

Through gamification, cross-sector collaboration, and the contribution of local digital players like Lingkotech, Labuan Bajo and Flores are well-positioned to become models for community-driven, technology-enabled tourism experiences.

About Lingkotech

Lingkotech is a creative digital company based in Labuan Bajo, specializing in web design and digital marketing strategies. Guided by the spirit of “Local Wisdom, Digital Vision,” Lingkotech helps businesses, destinations, and creative entrepreneurs establish a strong digital presence through professional website development services in Labuan Bajo.

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Engel Vione
Founder, Lingkotech