Indonesian Tourism Workers Strike over Komodo Park Price Hike

KUPANG, KOMPAS.com - Tourism businesses in Indonesia’s Komodo National Park began a month-long strike on Monday, Aug.1, after the government imposed a huge price hike.

Jakarta’s 18-fold rise in entry to the park’s most popular islands seeks to limit the number of visitors to protect endangered Komodo dragons -- the world’s largest lizards -- from overexposure to humans and environmental damage.

The move, which came into force Monday, raised admission fees to Komodo and Padar islands at the World Heritage-listed site in East Nusa Tenggara province from 200,000 Indonesian rupiahs ($13) to 3.75 million Indonesian rupiahs ($252).

But it sparked uproar among locals who rely on tourism, and industry-related businesses in the national park -- still reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic -- were closed on Monday in protest.

Also read: Indonesian Zoo Breeds Dozens of Endangered Baby Komodo Dragons 

“We have no other option, we have conveyed all our rational opinions and arguments but the government didn’t listen,” said Servianus Setiawan, a tour operator in Labuan Bajo, the town that serves as the entrance to the park.

“We support Komodo conservation but please come up with a sensible number so we can protect Komodo dragons and so people whose livelihood depends on tourism can live.”

East Nusa Tenggara Governor Viktor Laiskodat said the new price would be imposed despite the protest.

“We admit that we missed disseminating the information (about the price increase) properly. We will inform the people better while monitoring and evaluating the situation,” he told reporters Monday.

At least 700 workers will take part in the strike until the end of August, Servianus said.