Labuan Bajo, one of Indonesia's key tourist hubs, is facing a serious security crisis. Authorities are convinced that illegal guides are to blame.
The local parliament (DPRD) of West Manggarai has demanded that the police take immediate action following reports of numerous incidents. Tourists accuse the illegals not only of selling substandard tours but also of sexual harassment. The poor quality of service, which often leads to tragedies, undermines Labuan Bajo's status as a premium tourist destination for connoisseurs.
Without professional training and knowledge, illegal guides lead tourists to extreme locations. The head of the Guide Association (HPI), Aloysius Suhartim Karya, stated that several tourists have died as a result of these actions. In August, for example, a Dutch citizen died. He suffered a heart attack before a dive, and assistance could not be provided in time.
Parliament has demanded that law enforcement address not only the guides on land but also bring order to the resort's maritime zone. HPI insists that the only solution is to tighten the rules for issuing certificates (KTTP). They should only be awarded to association members who have undergone strict professional training.
Authorities have confirmed that a budget allocation of over 10 billion Indonesian rupiahs is planned for the Civil Police Unit (Satpol PP) in the 2026 budget. This will be spent on urgent measures to combat illegal workers in the tourism sector operating on the Komodo Islands.
Local tourism associations (such as HPI and ASITA) have long urged travelers to use only officially registered travel agencies and guides to avoid falling victim to fraudsters who, taking advantage of high demand in the peak season, offer suspiciously cheap and unsafe services.
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Sources: detik.com, kompas.com
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