LBFTA Initiates Tourism Discussion to Strengthen Governance and Sustainable Destination Management in Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo, January 29, 2026 — Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (LBFTA) or Badan Pelaksana Otorita Labuan Bajo Flores (BPOLBF) initiated a Tourism Discussion Forum held on Wednesday, January 29, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination, governance, and sustainability within the tourism ecosystem of Labuan Bajo and West Manggarai.

The discussion was led by Andhy MT Marpaung, Acting President Director of LBFTA, who highlighted several strategic issues currently shaping tourism development in the region. He noted that cumulative tourist visits to Komodo National Park and other destinations across West Manggarai have reached approximately 500,000 visits, underscoring the growing importance of effective destination management.

Among key concerns raised were issues related to tourism gastronomy, particularly the relatively high prices of food and beverages, as well as the role of influencers in shaping both positive and negative sentiments that directly impact destination branding and public perception.

Chairman of the Joint Secretariat (Sekretariat Bersama/SekBer) of West Manggarai Tourism Associations, Aloysius Suhartim Karya, emphasized that Labuan Bajo has previously faced challenges related to tourism mismanagement. To address these gaps, the establishment of a Joint Secretariat was initiated as a collaborative platform among tourism associations, with strong support from the West Manggarai Regional Government, including the provision of a dedicated secretariat building as a regional asset.

He also highlighted critical lessons learned from past tourism-related incidents, including a tourist boat sinking that resulted in significant financial losses amounting to billions of rupiah. According to him, these events underline the urgent need for tourism disaster mitigation training, clearer cancellation mechanisms during force majeure situations, and stronger coordination when weather advisories or closures are issued by BMKG, which often impact both tourists and travel operators.

Further insights were shared by Haris Manggala, Secretary of the Joint Secretariat, who explained that the SekBer was initiated by the Regional Secretary of West Manggarai and officially inaugurated by the Regent. One of its objectives is to integrate travel agents and tour operators with the Komodo National Park’s online registration system, SiOra. However, he noted that the open-access nature of SiOra currently poses challenges in curating trusted and verified travel operators.

Additional concerns discussed included fuel supply management during high season and the need for a single-door tourism information system, such as a Tourist Information Center (TIC), to provide accurate, verified information and counter misleading narratives. He confirmed that all tourism associations in Labuan Bajo-West Manggarai are now consolidated under the Joint Secretariat.

Representing the P3KOM Association, Chairman Marsel expressed appreciation for ongoing environmental initiatives such as beach clean-up activities by LBFTA. He also encouraged LBFTA to further strengthen destination branding by promoting land-based tourism as an alternative and complementary option to marine tourism.

Through this discussion forum, LBFTA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue with tourism stakeholders, strengthening institutional coordination, and promoting a more resilient, diversified, and sustainable tourism destination in Labuan Bajo Flores.

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Engel Vione
IT Support Specialist & Public Communication Officer
Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority