The renovation is all adjusted to the nature of the area, so that it looks very natural for anyone who will visit, and Labuan Bajo area will become an area that is truly premium
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is keen on developing Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, into a premium tourist zone.

President Jokowi reviewed the start of construction work on facilities and infrastructure projects in Labuan Bajo, Komodo sub-district, West Manggarai district, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, on Thursday. His visit was broadcast via video.

“The renovation is all adjusted to the nature of the area, so that it looks very natural for anyone who will visit, and Labuan Bajo area will become an area that is truly premium,” the President said in Labuan Bajo on Thursday.

The President said the works are being carried out in two stages; the first stage would be completed by the end of 2020, and the second stage in 2021.

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The project to beautify and improve the Labuan Bajo tourist destination covers Batu Cermin Cave, Puncak Waringin, Kampung Ujung to Marina, development of Wae Kelambu as a new port site, and Rinca Island, a natural habitat of Komodo dragons.

After inspecting the infrastructure projects, President Jokowi distributed working capital assistance to micro and small entrepreneurs in Labuan Bajo.

His entourage comprised Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, President Special Staff Ari Dwipayana, and NTT Governor Viktor Laiskodat.

The President and his entourage returned to Jakarta the same day. They flew out from Komodo Airport on board Indonesia-1.

Labuan Bajo is one of the 10 priority tourist destinations designated by the government as "New Bali”.

The nine other destinations are Borobudur in Central Java; Mandalika on Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara; Bromo-Tengger-Semeru in East Java; Pulau Seribu in North Jakarta; Lake Toba in North Sumatra; Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi; Tanjung Lesung in Banten; Morotai in the northern region of Halmahera in the Maluku Islands; and Tanjung Kelayang in Belitung, Bangka Belitung.

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Translator: Rangga PAJ, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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