Indonesia is planning to develop a major new port for tourist boats in Labuan Bajo, on the island of Flores.
The Antara news agency reported Indonesia’s Tourism Minister, Arief Yahya, as saying that the marina would cost approximately IDR300 billion (US$22.6 million).
The move forms part of the Indonesian government’s plans to develop tourism in Labuan Bajo, which has been identified as one of 10 “new” tourist destinations to be opened up to international travellers. Labuan Bajo is the launch point for boat trips to Komodo Rinca islands, which are home to the famous Komodo dragons.
Following the minister’s statement, the governor of East Nusa Tenggara province, Frans Lebu Raya, commented;
“The central government would built the marina, to be completed in 2019, at Labuan Bajo and various other supporting facilities to make Labuan Bajo a home port for international pleasure boats”.
He added that the port would be able accommodate tourist boat with “thousands of passengers”.
