Indonesia aims to attract 1.1 million visitors during 42nd ASEAN Summit

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 take place in mid-May in Indonesia’s Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara province this year, is expected to help the country attract 1.1 million international visitors to the tourism site, home to the Komodo Dragon National Park.

Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said this goal is in line with the development of infrastructure in Labuan Bajo, including the Bajo-Golo Mori route that was just inaugurated on March 14.

However, Sandiaga said that Labuan Bajo needs more new destinations to attract international visitors through the upcoming 42nd ASEAN Summit because Indonesia allows only 200,000 international visitors to visit Komodo Dragon National Park each year to maintain the environmental sustainability of the region.

Sandiaga also said he has received a special request from President Joko Widodo to increase tourism promotion for Labuan Bajo and harness the momentum from hosting the ASEAN Summit.

The promotion activities will be conducted through the Southeast Asia Travel Expo which will take place this weekend in Kuala Lumpur.

Labuan Bajo will be added to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy’s digital marketing strategy with specific targets and segments in attracting visitors./.