Indonesia Strengthens Marine Tourism Safety Standards Through Safety Talk in Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo, April 16, 2026 —

The Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, in collaboration with the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Board (BPOLBF), successfully held a Marine Tourism Safety Talk in Labuan Bajo as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening safety standards across Indonesia’s priority tourism destinations.

The event follows the Marine Tourism Safety Education Program, a key component of the Diving Safety 1000 Initiatives, a collaborative program between the Ministry of Tourism and Divers Alert Network (DAN) launched in 2023. To date, the initiative has reached over 1,000 beneficiaries across Indonesia’s marine tourism destinations, all of whom have received Emergency First Response (EFR) certification. In Labuan Bajo alone, 100 participants completed the training over two days.

The program aims to enhance awareness, knowledge, and technical capacity among marine tourism operators and stakeholders, particularly in managing risks and responding to emergencies in high-risk tourism activities such as diving and marine excursions.

Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Tourism, Ni Luh Enik Ermawati, emphasized that safety has become a central pillar in the country’s tourism transformation agenda.

“Safety tourism is one of our key priorities, especially in leading destinations such as Labuan Bajo. The government cannot work alone—strong collaboration among all stakeholders is essential to ensure a safe and high-quality tourism experience,” she stated.

She further highlighted the importance of certification and training programs in building a professional and resilient tourism ecosystem.

“We have now achieved more than 1,000 certified beneficiaries in diving safety training. This is a significant milestone in strengthening Indonesia’s tourism safety standards,” she added.

The Safety Talk featured two plenary sessions addressing critical aspects of marine tourism safety. The first session focused on risk-based safety standards, including policy frameworks, maritime transport safety regulations, and occupational health and safety (OHS) practices. The second session addressed emergency response and safety management, including diving risk mitigation, search and rescue preparedness, and real-world operational insights from industry practitioners.

The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including local government agencies, the Komodo National Park Authority, tourism associations, dive operators, tour guides, maritime institutions, and healthcare providers.

Acting President Director of BPOLBF, Andhy MT Marpaung, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to positioning Labuan Bajo as a safe and globally competitive destination.

“Labuan Bajo must not only be recognized for its natural beauty but also for its safety standards. This initiative is a concrete step in strengthening the capacity of tourism stakeholders to deliver safe, high-quality experiences for visitors,” he stated.

He also emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in building a resilient tourism ecosystem.

“Strong synergy between government, industry players, and local communities is key to ensuring Labuan Bajo evolves into a destination that is not only attractive but also safe and responsible,” he added.

The event was officially closed by Itok Parikesit, Assistant Deputy for Tourism Product Development at the Ministry of Tourism, who expressed hope that the forum would lead to actionable outcomes in advancing marine tourism safety across Indonesia.

Through this initiative, the Ministry of Tourism and BPOLBF continue to drive the transformation of Labuan Bajo into a world-class destination that prioritizes safety, quality, and sustainability.

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Engel Vione
IT Support Specialist & Public Communication Officer
Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority
Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia