The Komodo National Park Agency (Balai Taman Nasional Komodo or BTNK) has introduced a new regulation setting a daily visitor quota of 1,000 tourists for Komodo National Park in West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
Maria Rosdalima Panggur, the Coordinator of Public Relations, Cooperation, and Licensing Services at BTNK, explained that the implementation of the new regulation aims to reduce significant pressure on the park’s ecology. The high number of annual tourist visits has raised concerns about the increasing ecological strain on the area.
“This regulation has been in effect since the 1st of April 2026 and is already underway,” said Panggur to the press on Tuesday, the 14th of April.
BTNK recorded that tourist visits to Komodo National Park in the year 2025 reached 429,509. International visitors accounted for an average of 68%, in comparison to domestic tourists. This figure has exceeded the park’s overall tourism carrying capacity—both on land and at sea—which stands at 366,108 visitors per year. According to a study previously conducted back in the year 2022, the carrying capacity was initially projected to reach 378,870 visitors annually.
“The increase in visits has significantly boosted the regional economy. But on the other hand, it places considerable pressure on the ecology,” underscored Panggur.
BTNK also stated that even with the new quota in place, the number of tourist visits for the rest of the year 2026 is expected to be at least the same as last year.
“However, the office of Komodo National Park will continue to monitor the impact of this new visitor regulation policy on the ecology, economy, social aspects, and the management of Komodo National Park itself,” Panggur added.
The Minister of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, Raja Juli Antoni, also emphasised that the policy to limit tourist quotas in Komodo National Park represents a serious step by the government to protect the conservation area from the threat of overtourism. Antoni is also considering increasing the entrance fee for foreign tourists. However, he acknowledged that the proposed fee increase is still under review, as one key consideration would be its potential impact on visitor interest.
“I even had a discussion yesterday with the Minister of Finance. Perhaps we could increase the fee for foreign tourists, as Komodo National Park has its own unique characteristics,” the Minister remarked.
Based on Government Regulation Number 36 of 2024 concerning Types and Tariffs of Non-Tax State Revenue applicable to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the current entrance fee for Komodo National Park is set at Rp250,000 per person for foreign tourists and Rp50,000 for domestic visitors.