Entrance fee in Komodo National Park wild $1000 rumors

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Entrance fee to Komodo National Park

10 dollars... 500 dollars... 1000 dollars ... Who offers more?

Between 2019 and 2023, changes to the entrance fee in Komodo National Park were repeatedly announced, implemented, withdrawn, postponed, and re-established. Many travelers are understandably confused by the changes. The amounts involved ranged from $10 per person to $500 per person to even $1000 per person.

Here you can find out how this mess came about, what was planned and what actually applies in 2023.

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Asia • Indonesia • Komodo National Park • Prices Tours & Diving in Komodo National Park • Entrance fee in Komodo National Park Rumors & Facts

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1. Fight against mass tourism

Instead of $10, $500 entrance fee to Komodo National Park?

In 2018, the authorities announced for the first time that they intend to reduce the number of tourists on Komodo Island again. In principle, a very sensible and important thought, because the number of visitors rose exponentially up until the Corona pandemic. After the airport on Flores was enlarged in 2014 to be able to transport more tourists, in 2016 around 9000 visitors per month were registered in Komodo National Park. In 2017 there were already 10.000 tourists a month. Huge cruise ships with several hundred people also went ashore.

Sustainable ecotourism generates income for the local population, promotes understanding of the rare Komodo dragons, and supports the conservation of the protected area, but the demand had become significantly too great. The Indonesian government announced that the entrance fee to Komodo National Park would be increased from 2020 IDR (approximately $150.000) per day to around $10 in 500. This was intended to reduce visitor numbers and protect the Komodo dragons.

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2. The super premium destination

Entrance fee increase to $1000 planned for Komodo National Park!

But then new plans were made, and the announced increase for 2020 was canceled. Instead of $500, the entrance fee to Komodo National Park remained at around $10 per person per day. At the same time, however, the Indonesian Ministry of the Interior announced a new fee increase for January 2021. A visit to Komodo Island would cost a whopping $1000 in the future—a hundred times more than before.

In a speech on November 28.11.2019, XNUMX, Indonesian President Joko Widodo called on Labuan Bajo to become a super premium travel destination. Labuan Bajo tourism management must be careful not to mix with lower-middle-class tourist destinations. Only tourists with large purses are welcome.

The entrance fee to Komodo National Park was set as an annual fee. Anyone paying $1000 would receive a one-year membership, allowing them to visit Komodo Island during that time. The number of members would also be limited to 50.000 people per year.

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3. The national park as a motor of the economy

A “Jurassic Park” safari park for the island of Rinca?

The number of tourists was to be reduced to protect the Komodo dragons, and at the same time, Komodo was promoted as a super-premium resort. However, the plans for Rinca Island, which is also located in Komodo National Park and is home to Komodo dragons, were entirely different. A safari park was planned there to stimulate the economy. The media dubbed the project "Jurassic Park." "We want the whole thing to go viral abroad," the project's chief architect explained at the time.

But how does that fit together? In the future, only a few wealthy tourists should see the island of Komodo. The island of Rinca, on the other hand, was actively prepared and promoted for mass tourism. Critics therefore dismiss the government's nature conservation idea and consider the fee policy to be strategic marketing.

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Asia • Indonesia • Komodo National Park • Prices Tours & Diving in Komodo National Park • Entrance fee in Komodo National Park Rumors & Facts

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4. And then came the Covid19 pandemic

$250 entrance fee in Komodo National Park after long lockdown

In April 2020, travel to Indonesia was no longer possible for foreigners. The tourism industry held its breath. Only after almost 2 years, since February 2022, was entry into Indonesia allowed again. In the meantime, the project on Rinca had progressed and the opening of the safari park was imminent.

The announced fee increase for Komodo Island, however, was not actively implemented due to the pandemic. In August 2022, the entrance fee to Komodo National Park was indeed increased dramatically. Not to $500, not to $1000, but to approximately $250 (IDR 3.750.000) per person. The number of visitors to Komodo Island and Padar Island would be limited to 200.000 tourists per year.

Although much higher fees were originally announced, the new annual ticket was a slap in the face for the tourism industry. Many tourists canceled their trips due to the unexpected costs and numerous tour operators had to cancel their tours. Many tour operators and diving schools were already badly hit by the long Covid break. People had their backs to the wall.

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5. Postponed and then cancelled

Strikes bring back entrance fee to $10 in Komodo National Park

Following joint protests and strikes by tourism companies and their employees, the government actually withdrew the entrance fee increase to Komodo National Park. However, it simultaneously announced an increase starting in January 2023.

However, in December 2022, the Ministry of Tourism again announced that the low entrance fee to Komodo National Park would be maintained in 2023. They hoped this decision would attract more visitors to the island. A sudden change of heart? Not quite. The airport in Labuan Bajo was already expanded in 2021, with the aim of allowing international flights to land in the future. Clearly, the goal is to increase tourist numbers, not decrease them. How fees and visitor numbers will develop in the coming years remains to be seen.

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Asia • Indonesia • Komodo National Park • Prices Tours & Diving in Komodo National Park • Entrance fee in Komodo National Park Rumors & Facts

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6. Composition of the entrance fee in Komodo National Park

Annual ticket, admission per person, holidays, boat fees, ranger fees, …

There is no annual pass, but rather one-time tickets per person per day. As already mentioned, the entrance fee to Komodo National Park has remained unchanged for the time being. It will remain 2023 IDR (approximately $150.000) per person per day in 10. Strictly speaking, however, this price only applies from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays and public holidays, the entrance fee is 225.000 IDR (approximately $15).

But be careful! In addition to the entrance fee per person to Komodo National Park, there is also a fee for the boat you use to explore the national park. The boat entry fee costs 100.000–200.000 IDR (approximately $7–14), depending on the engine power. Island fees and other tickets, such as those for trekking, rangers, snorkeling, and diving, are added to these basic costs. A ranger is required for visits to Komodo and Padar Islands.

The total costs for the national park are made up of several fees and depend on what you actually want to do in Komodo National Park. Information about each fee you can find in the article Prices for tours and diving in Komodo National ParkSince the pricing policy is somewhat confusing, Magazine.Travel has also prepared three practical examples (boat tour, diving trip, snorkeling tour) for you to see the applicable national park fees.

Proceed to the list of individual fees

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7. Increase in ranger fees

A new tactic in pricing policy?

In May 2023, there was another outcry in the tourism industry. The entrance fee to Komodo National Park remained unchanged as promised, but now the national park's travel service (Flobamor) unexpectedly increased the ranger fee.

Instead of 120.000 IDR (~ 8 dollars) per group of 5 people, 400.000 to 450.000 IDR (~ 30 dollars) per person were suddenly required. For the island of Komodo, fees of around $80 per person were even discussed.

New protests arose: the rangers were not trained as nature guides, had too little knowledge and sometimes hardly spoke any English. The The Ministry of Environment and Forestry, which governs Komodo National Park, has now ordered the high ranger fees to be revoked. First, Flobamor aims to improve service quality to justify a future fee increase. So it remains exciting.

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Asia • Indonesia • Komodo National Park • Prices Tours & Diving in Komodo National Park • Entrance fee in Komodo National Park Rumors & Facts

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8. Impact on tourism, country and people

Uncertainty & new plans

Many tourists are now unsure which ones National park fees are currently really valid or skeptical because they fear another sharp increase. Others, on the other hand, have already used the favorable conditions to fulfill their dream of a Komodo trip again and again Home of the Komodo dragons to experience.

Tour providers usually no longer include the national park fees in the offer price. In this way, you do not risk miscalculations when making adjustments and remain flexible. Since the reopening of Rinca Island, many have also changed their route, so that tourism is currently being distributed between Rinca and Komodo Islands again.

The small port town of Labuan Bajo is the perfect starting point for many travelers to Komodo National Park. Until now, tourists have mainly found accommodations in hostels and small homestays. Many of these accommodations are run by local residents. However, in 2023, several large new construction projects were seen along the coasts of Flores Island. The announcement of an expensive entrance fee to Komodo National Park has apparently attracted large hotels and well-known chains, who expect to attract wealthy clients.

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9. Impact on animal, nature and environmental protection

Money isn't everything, or is it?

In the past, the Indonesian government has done a lot to boost tourism. In the period 2017 to 2019, the number of visitors then increased exponentially. The lockdown in 2020 and 2021 gave nature a breathing space. Since the announced increase in fees has not materialized, a renewed increase in tourist numbers is to be expected.

But not everything is bad. Since the sanctuary was established, the coral-covered area in Komodo National Park has increased by a wonderful 60 percent. Dynamite fishing used to be common in the area. Tourism is definitely the better alternative to earn money. In addition, many measures have been implemented to counteract problems. For example, mooring buoys have been installed to prevent damage to the reefs and a garbage disposal system and recycling center has been established for Flores.

Large cruise ships are only allowed to approach the island of Rinca to observe the Komodo dragons. For large groups, shore leave is restricted to the observation deck of the new safari park. This protects the vegetation of the rest of the island and the Komodo dragons benefit from more distance to large groups of people due to the elevated paths.

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10. Own experiences and opinions

Personal solutions

For the future, Magazine.Travel calls for a fee policy and legislation that promotes ecotourism in Komodo National Park and limits mass tourism. Large cruise ships should be denied access to the national park altogether. The Galapagos Islands are a positive example of this strategy: no ships with more than 100 people are permitted there.

The tourism around the Komodo National Park should help the local population to generate income and promote sensible projects such as coordinated waste disposal. Tourists should be introduced to Komodo dragons with quality information and due respect. Honest enthusiasm strengthens the idea of ​​protection for the giant lizards and other reptile species.

The fees should therefore not be raised so much that only rich clientele are addressed. Nevertheless, an increase to, for example, 100 dollars total price for the Komodo National Park per person (e.g. as a monthly ticket) would be conceivable and sensible. Travelers who are seriously interested in Komodo's wildlife and marine life shouldn't be put off by that amount. Day trippers who fly by briefly, jet through the national park by speedboat and are gone again the next day would probably reduce such an increase. A one-off total price would also be much more transparent than the confusing pricing policy made up of numerous individual fees.

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Read all info about Prices for tours & diving in Komodo National Park.
Follow Magazine.Travel on a tour of Komodo and Rinca in the Home of the Komodo dragons.
Learn all about Snorkeling and diving in Komodo National Park.

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Asia • Indonesia • Komodo National Park • Prices Tours & Diving in Komodo National Park • Entrance fee in Komodo National Park Rumors & Facts

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