Developers Encouraged to Work on Superpriority Tourist Destinations

The development of super-priority tourism destination Labuan Bajo is considered not yet optimal. Developers are involved.

FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

Sunset seen from the hills in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara on Thursday (11/5/2023).

LABUAN BAJO, KOMPAS — The government encourages property businesses to accelerate investment in the super-priority tourist destination Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. Tourism and creative economy development in super-priority destinations requires cross-sector collaboration to provide tourism facilities.

The government has designated five super-priority tourist destinations which are Lake Toba (North Sumatra), Borobudur (Central Java), Mandalika (West Nusa Tenggara), Labuan Bajo (East Nusa Tenggara), and Likupang (North Sulawesi).

The General Chairman of the Central Executive Board (DPP) of the Indonesian Real Estate Association (REI), Joko Suranto, stated that the government offers investment potential in places such as Labuan Bajo. For example, a 140-hectare plot of land in Parapuar Tourism Park in West Manggarai has not yet developed due to infrastructure factors.

Also read: Superpriority Destination Development Focuses on Basic Infrastructure

Currently, the duration of tourist visits in Labuan Bajo is still relatively short, around 2-3 days. This is due to the limited options for tourist destinations. As a result, property development to support tourism is still small in scale.

"The acceleration of property investment in tourism destinations requires facilitation of permits and regulations, as well as fiscal and non-fiscal ease," he said during the 52nd anniversary celebration of REI in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, NTT, on Friday (26/4/2024).

Previously, collaboration was carried out through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga S Uno, and Joko Suranto in Labuan Bajo on Thursday (April 25, 2024). The scope of the MoU includes the exchange of data and/or information; the development of tourism destinations and creative economic infrastructure; the development of the tourism and creative economy industry and investment; as well as the development of digital economy and creative products.

Labuan Bajo's economic growth, according to Chairman of the REI NTT Regional Leadership Council Bobby Pitoby, has grown rapidly in recent years in line with the determination of super-priority tourism destinations. However, the undulating contour of the land causes very large land clearing costs.

Additional destinations

Sandiaga Uno stated that the government is opening the widest possible opportunity for property developers to invest in tourism destinations, including super-priority tourism destinations. He is collaborating with the Real Estate Indonesia Association (REI) for investment acceleration, including developing the Nusantara Creation House. With this effort, Labuan Bajo is expected to prioritize its best creations.

Also read: Tourism and Property Activities in Labuan Bajo

According to Sandiaga, the carrying capacity of Komodo Island is 250,000 people, while the airport's carrying capacity is 1 million, which means other destinations outside of Komodo Island must be developed, such as Batu Cermin tourism destination, Wae Rebo, East Flores, Maumere, and religious tourism destinations. The development of tourism destinations needs to involve the Real Estate Indonesia (REI).

"Visiting Komodo Island doesn't have to be done simultaneously, so that other land tourist destinations can also be developed by involving REI developers," said Sandiaga.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Twilight atmosphere in the Labuan Bajo Harbor area, West Manggarai, NTT, Friday (12/5/2023).

Sandiaga added that the government had planted 1 million trees in Parapuar, developing culture-based destinations, environmentally based tourism activities (ecotourism), and green tourism. Green tourism includes, among other things, carbon reduction destinations, mangrove planting and waste management, use of new and renewable energy, as well as electrical energy in all priority destinations.

"We conceptualize here (Labuan Bajo) as a Home for Indonesian Creation for all Indonesian people, through collaboration for green tourism with a propertinomics approach, and planting 1 million trees, a destination based on local wisdom and a green tourism concept. "We offer REI to speed up investment," said Sandiaga.

Meiko Handoyo Lukmantara, the Director of Ciputra Group, added that the development of road infrastructure and clean water requires the government's role in pushing for hotel investment and tourism destinations to move faster. On the other hand, property development such as villas is still hindered by the market.

Also read: Seeing Komodo Dragons from Labuan Bajo