REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, WAKATOBI -- Foreigners are taking over tourism industry in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. Labuan Bajo attracts foreign investors as it is located near Komodo National Park.
"Foreigners own home stay, restaurant, diving rental," the Head of West Manggarai Regional Development Planning Agency Aleksius Saryono said on Thursday, November 27.
Foreigners, mostly from Italy, Australia, and US, violated regulation that limits the ownership of foreigners. Saryono said, they broke the regulation by marrying locals. "They buy property and land in the name of their mates," he said.
Labuan Bajo becomes tourist attraction since it is located near Komodo National Park. It takes only 45 minutes by speedboat from Labuan Bajo to Komodo Island.