Home to giant lizards, also known as Komodo dragons, Indonesia’s Komodo island has always been a huge tourist magnet for the country. The island has been making headlines of late ever since the government decided to impose an entry fee hike on it. Following a strike by tourism operators again regarding the hike, the Indonesian government has decided to postpone the hike till January 2023. By Karan Kaushik
Komodo Island fee hike postponed till next year
According to a report published in The Times of India, an annual membership fee of 3.75 million rupiah (INR 20,362) will be implemented from January 2023. A spokesperson for the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry of the Indonesian government said that the fee hike has been postponed in line with public aspirations.
Most visitors to Komodo choose to stay in Labuan Bajo, a town in Flores Island. Following the government’s decision to impose a fee hike, tourism operators in the town had declared a one-month strike. Finally, a meeting was held between the protestors and the local authorities, following which the government decided to postpone the hike.
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Komodo Island is famous the world over for its resident giant lizards, called Komodo dragons. The Komodo dragon, also known as the Komodo monitor, is the largest living species of lizard. Worthy of the title ‘dragon,’ the lizard is found in the Indonesian island belt.
Komodo Island is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Komodo National Park, along with the Rinca and Padar islands. The island of Komodo is also blessed with magnificent marine life, making it a popular destination among tourists from across the globe.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), climate change has had a negative impact on Komodo island. The Indonesian government’s decision to increase the entry fee for the island was aimed at limiting visitors as part of conservation efforts.
Feature and hero image courtesy: Shutterstock
