See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273725376 Ecotourism Strategy for Komodo National Park: Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Area Technical Report · January 1997 DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2492.0721 CITATIONS READS 0 263 4 authors, including: Rodney William Carter University of the Sunshine Coast 222 PUBLICATIONS 2,317 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Vietnam Sustainable Development View project Tourism, Protected Areas and Traditional People View project All content following this page was uploaded by Rodney William Carter on 11 March 2016. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. PERLI:\Dl':\G,\:\ lilT.\'\ I>A:\ PELEST.\IU.\\ ALA'! Department of Forest Pmtct'tion and Natu•·c Consenation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ECOTOURISM STRATEGY FOR KOMODO NATIONAL PARK Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Area ll:\1\'ERSJT\' OF Ql'EE\SLA\D (GATTO\ COLLE<m) Det>m·tment of Natural and Ruml Systems Management PERLI:\DC\GA:\ Hl"'I'A:\ DA:\ PELESTAIOA:\ AL.Hl Department of Forest Protection and Nature Consenation U:\1\'ERS!T\' OF QU~E:\SL:\:\D tGATTO:\ COLLEGE) Del>artment ot' Natun1l and Rural Systems Management PERUNDUNGAN HUT AN DAN PELESTARIAN Ai.AM ECOTOURISM STRATEGY FOR KOMODO NATIONAL PARK Department of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation Executive Summary EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ECOTOURISM STRATEGY FOR KOMODO NATIONAL PARK Ecotourism potential Komodo National Park has a diversity of natural and cultural features suited to ecotourism. These features, along with surrounding areas and the availability of nearby tourist markets, provide opportunities for developing quality tourism products and an ecotourism image which contrast with other destinations in south east Asia. This study seeks to build upon existing efforts, and to identify actions which will develop the Region's ecotourism strengths and overcome existing weaknesses. Ecotourism in Komodo National Park has the potential to: • facilitate experiences and appreciation of the natural and cultural environment; • act as an incentive to conserve nature and protect the integrity of local cultures and customs; • increase cross-cultural understanding; • bring the benefits of tourism (foreign exchange and employment opportunities), without the negative social and environmental impacts; • bring better support for conservation by strengthening environmental awareness, concern and commitment through increased understanding and appreciation of nature; • increase social interaction with local communities as well as enhanced and sustainable development; and • diversify the economic base of local communities. The Principle Strategies The fundamental principle of the Komodo National Park Ecotourism Strategy is to: • maintain the existing day visitor market to the Park, focusing use around Loh Liang; • expand the overnight market to make greater use of Loh Liang and Loh Buaya • expand community operated overnight opportunities and culture related experiences, thereby attracting new markets, extending the stay of the existing overnight market, and capturing a larger share of the tourist dollar (currently low at around A$10.00 per visitor); • develop compatible and supportive tourist facilities, services and activities outside the Park, thereby attracting new markets and extending the stay of the existing markets with in the Region, while not placing additional burden on the Park; • charging appropriate fees, commensurate with the status of the Park as a World Heritage Area, with a unique opportunity to experience a spectacular and endangered species, as well as outstanding maritime environments, and • expand and diversify the types of tourist activities, especially those that are marine based. UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND (GATTON COLLEGE) Page Ill Department of Natural and Rural Systems Management PERUNDUNGAN HUTAN DAN PELESTARIAN ALAM ECOTOURISM STRATEGY FOR KOMODO NATIONAL PARK Department of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation Executive Summary This will require (in recommended priority order): 1. consolidation of existing markets as well as services and infrastructure which provide for existing visitation; 2. modifying and upgrading access and services to increase day visitor appreciation of ecotourism resources; 3. increasing the quality and range of ecotourism services currently being offered to respond to the increased day visitor usage; 4. improving services for overnight visitors; 5. upgrading the skills of existing tourism service providers; 6. developing new ecotourism services and attractions both within and outside the Park to better cater for overnight ecotourist expectations and needs; 7. developing regional accommodation for an expanding range of visitors; 8. developing tourist transport direct to Loh Liang from Labuan Bajo; and 9. developing touring services out of Labuan Bajo and from local communities. Strategic actions Komodo National Park • Continue to develop, promote and market Komodo National Park as an ecotourism destination. • Initially target visitors to Bali, the 'budget' category of tourists, holiday visitors. • Develop joint marketing strategies and programs with adjacent tourist centres, and between businesses providing tourist services (e.g. accommodation and ecotourism services) . • Establish mechanisms for co-ordination and co-operation between all ecotourism sectors. • Upgrade tourist industry skills with an emphasis on ecotourism services through pilot training programs. • Develop special ecotourism markets, targeting international population centres, as quality ecotourism services become available. • Expand and diversify the range of accommodation forms available in the Region. Komodo Region • Maintain the identity of Labuan Bajo as the gateway to Komodo National Park but increasingly market Flores and Sumbawa Islands as separate and distinctive ecotourism destinations. • Expand and diversify the range of ecotourism services at Labuan Bajo and Sima. UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND (GATTON COLLEGE) Page IV Department of Natural and Rural Systems Management PERUNDUNGAN HUTAN DAN PELESTARIAN ALAM ECOTOURISM STRATEGY FOR KOMODO NATIONAL PARK Department of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation Executive summary Important findings Tourism The study area relies strongly on the activities of tourism for economic growth. However support infrastructure at Bima, Sape and Labuan Bajo is inadequate to service tourism growth, and benefit from an expanding tourist market. Inbound Services Almost 70% of visitors to Loh Liang originate within the region. The remainder emanate out of Bali and Lombok. Currently: • cruise ships bring more day visitors than all other transport sources combined; • Wednesday, Sunday, Tuesday are the highest visitor days from cruise ships; • the ferry from Sape is the next major source of visitors; • Saturday Is the main visiting day from the Sape ferry. To manage day visitor numbers and promote ecotourism requires modifying cruise ship schedules. National Park management should cooperate with cruise ship operators to even the distribution of day visitors. Park visitation Visitation has grown to 30 000 (1995-96) - an average monthly visitation of 2400. International clients account for over 90% of visitors, growing at a rate of 11% each year. Peak visitation occurs in July to September with a secondary peak in January (130 visitors each day). Loh Liang attracts about 60 visitors a day, peaking on weekends and mid week. Overnight stays peak in July and August (50% occupancy). However, throughout the year occupancy is around 30%. At current growth rates, overnight occupancy will not reach 50% even by the year 2002. In 1995/96, accommodation returned just over Rp63m from nearly 7000 visitors nights or around 4000 room nights. Visitation 1991-1996 and projected to 2002 80000 ...--------------------. 70000 ·······A······· Domestic (Lov.l ----•·---· Domes tic • Domestic (High) 60000 ---0--- lnternatio nal (lowj - --o- -International 50000 e lnternatio nal (High) ... • -cJ- •Total (lov.l "'0 -•- Total ~ 40000 >"' • Total (High) 30000 N (') '<t II) ID 0> .... N ~ 0> 0> 0> ~ ~ 8 0 e ~ ~ ~ ill ID ;::::: 0; 0 0> 0> 0> 0> 0> 0> 0 8i $ 0> 0> 0> 0> 0> i0> 0> 0 8 .... .... .... ..... .... ..... ..... ..... .... N N Year Projected visitation to 2002 UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND (GATTON COLLEGE) PageV Department of Natural and Rural Systems Management PERUNDUNGAN HUTAN DAN PELESTARIAN AlAM ECOTOURISM STRATEGY FOR KOMODO NATIONAL PARK Department of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation Executive Summary Visitor Characteristics It is possible to identify two tourist types. 1. Visitors desiring to view features in the quickest, most convenient manner. Such tourists have the Komodo dragon on their list of 'must see' items. The control of these visitors lies with charter boat and cruise ship operators. 2. Visitors desiring to 'experience' local environments and cultures, spending more time on the islands and often mixing with the local community. Existing services adequately cater for the former but not the latter. The latter group have the potential to provide greater nett income to the park and associated local communities. Most visitors are day visitors who come to Komodo National Park for the sole purpose of viewing the dragon. The market appears to be unaware of the range of natural attractions and possible activities available in the park. Both marketing and additional services are required to hold visitors for