Komodo Airport Expanding, Tourists Can Go Directly to Labuan Bajo

“Direct flights from foreign countries can soon begin to disembark in Labuan Bajo. We hope that with tourists from abroad, tourism in the Labuan Bajo archipelago will be increasingly known,” explained Jokowi.

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These islands are home to pristine beaches that are quieter than those further west, and one of Indonesia’s best diving scenes can be found on the Alor Archipelago. In places you’ll still feel like a pioneer, and you’ll certainly notice fewer crowds than on Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands.

"Flores is a vast island. It’s a good idea to hop on a plane to get from one place to the next. If you want to combine overland journeying and island hopping, air travel is an even better option. From Labuan Bajo, you can fly to Bajawa or Ende. It is more time and cost efficient than long distance travel by rental car."

Holiday Alternatives to Bali

"In 2017 Indonesian President Joko Widodo ordered further development of ten alternative tourism destinations dubbed “The New Balis”. Currently Indonesia ranks 47th in the world for tourism. The government aims to increase international arrivals from nine to 20 million between 2014 and 2019 and to increase tourism from four to 20 percent of GDP over the same period, hoping to make the country rank in the top 20."

Labuan Bajo Tourism Aims High

"The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism is set to develop Labuan Bajo, a town in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, aiming to see tourist numbers reach levels to rival Bali."

The 'Hobbits' of Flores, Indonesia

"Digs and geological dating in Liang Bua Cave, Indonesia, show that Homo floresiensis, nicknamed the “hobbit” for its small size, became extinct around 50,000 years ago – tens of thousands of years earlier than originally thought."

There will be a Marriot for dragons in Komodo, come 2021

"A Courtyard by Marriott will open in Labuan Bajo, gateway to Komodo National Park which is home to the Komodo dragons, come 2021. With a hilltop location on the western tip of Flores Island, the Courtyard by Marriott Labuan Bajo Komodo Resort will offer 158 rooms and suites."

NTT Opening Up to Foreign Investment

"The positive momentum generated from the recent IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Bali looks set to push Komodo and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on to the world stage for greater foreign investment.”