REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Minister of Tourism (Menpar) Widiyanti Putri Wardhana ensured that tourists who are still in Labuan Bajo and its surroundings in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) or around the epicenter of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Male can access the facilities needed during the evacuation process on alternate routes that are passed as exit routes from Labuan Bajo area.

Widi conveyed amenities such as transportation to nearby hotels, clean toilets, as well as tourist consumption to the attention of Kemenpar. “Since the beginning of the Lewotobi eruption, coordination and collaboration between stakeholders have been carried out,” Widi said in a written statement in Jakarta, Thursday (14/11/2024).

Widi said an alternative route of sea transport travel prepared by the Kesyahbandaran Office and the Port Authority (KSOP) of Labuan Bajo uses ferries from Labuan Bajo to Sape (Bima), Poto Tano Port (West Sumbawa), Kayangan Port (Lombok), Lembar Port (Lombok), Port Tanjung Perak (Surabaya), and Benoa (Bali).

“Data obtained as of November 13, 2024 at 18:00 WITA, estimated 602 tourists are still detained in Labuan Bajo,” Widi said.

Widi said that since November 9, 505 rooms have been extended from three-star to five-star hotels. For travelers who extend the period hotel rooms in Labuan Bajo get discounts with an average of 50 percent. Some of the hotels that offer discounted rates include Puri Sari, Ayana, Green Prundi, La Prima, Parlezo, Merourah, Palm Hotel.

“Additional services provided by the hotel are assistance in the purchase of ship tickets, serving shuttle services for tourists whose flights are canceled, tourists who are looking for sea accommodation options and providing alternative travel options within the city for tourists,” Widi continued.

Previously, the Tourism Information Center (TIC) of the Executive Agency of Labuan Bajo Flores Authority (BPOLBF) has been activated as a crisis center that facilitates the provision of up-to-date information on the accessibility of Labuan Bajo alternatives, the options of places and activities that tourists can do while in Labuan Bajo, as well as help with information on the Lewotobi eruption.

“We will continue to carry out emergency response actions by continuing to coordinate with various local authorities to ensure the safety of tourists through the activation of the Tourism Information Center and the establishment of a Marine Transport Readiness Post to ensure the evacuation of tourists out of Labuan Bajo,” Widi said.

Kemenpar also ensures that tourism industry players include transportation, and travel agencies do not raise prices for services during this emergency response period.

KSOP Labuan Bajo, Stephanus Risdiyanto describes the number of passengers already transported. As of November 10, 2024 there were 35 ships carrying 546 people. Then on November 11, 2024 there were 36 ships transporting 1,320 people. As of 12 November 2024 there were 25 ships carrying 1,226 people.

“The latest data on November 13, 2024 at 18:00 WITA contains three ships with Labuan Bajo-Surabaya, Labuan Bajo-Bima-Surabaya, and Labuan Bajo-Bima-Benoa routes,” Stephanus said.

The details of the route for the Labuan Bajo-Surabaya route departed at 12.00 WITA carrying 1,050 passengers with 30 Hours travel allowance using the Dharma Rucitra VIII ship.

Then Labuan Bajo-Bima-Surabaya departs at 23:00 WITA with a capacity of 512 passengers with a journey time of Labuan Bajo to Bima of 8 hours. Meanwhile, Bima headed to Surabaya for 14 hours by boat Niki Mila Utama.

And the Labuan Bajo-Bima-Benoa route leaves at 23:00 WITA with a capacity of 970 passengers with a journey time of Labuan Bajo to Bima 8 hours, while Bima to Benoa 23 Hours using the boat Binaiya.

“Until now the situation in Labuan Bajo Port is safe and under control, there is no buildup of passenger tourists. The waves and wind currents are safe for sailing, so tourists in Labuan Bajo can still do business as usual. There was no significant increase in effusion,” Stephanus said.

Nevertheless, flight activity at Komodo International Airport was closed again on November 13, 2024 until 20:00 WITA. Paper tests will still be carried out with a duration extended to 3 hours with periodic monitoring of the development of the situation in the field. Of course, the Airlines Safety Assesment will always be carried out before flying to Komodo International Airport.

On the other hand, all agencies of the airport community have taken the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Mejai in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, as a joint concern and constantly update the development of the situation and hope that conditions can return to normal soon.

Currently, there are five airports in East Nusa Tenggara that are actively served from and to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport namely Kupang (KOE), Labuan Bajo (LBJ), Tambolaka (TMC), Waingapu (WGP), Ende (ENE).

For regular airlines operating on these routes are Indonesia Air Asia, Citilink Indonesia, Garuda Indonesia, Batik Air, Wings Air, and Nam Air.

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