It was deemed necessary to temporarily close Loh Buaya to enable the process of rearrangement of the natural tourism facilities and infrastructure on the island, Head of the Komodo National Park Lukita Awang Nistyantara stated here on Sunday (Nov 15).
"It was necessary to close down Loh Buaya in order to accelerate the process of arrangement and development of natural tourism infrastructure currently being conducted by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing at the Loh Buaya Resort," he noted.
Furthermore, the tourist resort was temporarily closed for improving services and ensuring the safety of tourists, Nistyantara remarked.
Loh Buaya has been closed from Oct 26, 2020, to June 30, 2021, with a fortnightly evaluation to be conducted.
"This temporary closure will be evaluated periodically, taking into account the development of natural tourism infrastructure at the Loh Buaya Resort, SPTN (National Park Management Section) Region I, Rinca Island," he stated.
Based on data from the Komodo National Park, the Loh Buaya Valley is home to 60 Komodo dragons.
Of the 60 Komodo dragons, at least 15 usually roam near the vicinity of the ongoing construction work, he stated.
The government is keen to transform Labuan Bajo into a super premium tourist destination that will host world leaders besides the well-heeled. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who visited Labuan Bajo twice this year in January and October, has designated it as one of the 10 top priority tourist destinations, termed Beyond Bali, along with Borobudur in Central Java, Lake Toba in North Sumatra, and Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara.
Keen to showcase Labuan Baju to world leaders, President Jokowi is planning to host the ASEAN and G20 Summits at the site in 2023.
The government is intent on preparing Labuan Bajo to host the G20 Summit in 2023 and the ASEAN Summit in 2023, the president remarked while noting that in 2023, Indonesia is scheduled to hold the presidency of the G20 and the chairmanship of ASEAN.
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Translator: Bernadus Tokan, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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