Some tourists tried to climb a hill on Padar Island, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara Province, which is part the Komodo National Park. (Photo: antaranews.com) Jakarta (VNA) – The 42nd ASEAN Summit, slated to takeplace in mid-May in Indonesia’s Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggaraprovince this year, is expected to help the country attract 1.1 millioninternational visitors to the tourism site, home to the Komodo Dragon National Park.
Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy Minister SandiagaUno said this goal is in line with the development of infrastructure in LabuanBajo, including the Bajo-Golo Mori route that was just inaugurated on March 14.
However, Sandiaga said that Labuan Bajo needs more newdestinations to attract international visitors through the upcoming 42nd ASEANSummit because Indonesia allows only 200,000 international visitors to visitKomodo Dragon National Park each year to maintain the environmentalsustainability of the region.
Sandiaga also said he has received a special request fromPresident Joko Widodo to increase tourism promotion for Labuan Bajo and harnessthe momentum from hosting the ASEAN Summit.
The promotion activities will be conducted through the Southeast AsiaTravel Expo which will take place this weekend in Kuala Lumpur.
Labuan Bajo will be added to the Ministry of Tourism andCreative Economy’s digital marketing strategy with specific targets and segmentsin attracting visitors./.
