PRODUCT development is underway in the eastern part of Flores, with special attention given to the Maumere-Larantuka-Solor Island route.
A collaboration between the Swiss Secretariat of Economic Affairs and Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the initiative comes under the supervision of Swisscontact, the Swiss Foundation for Technical Cooperation.
Swisscontact project manager, Ruedi Nuetzi, said: “Normally, travellers take the Maumere-Kelimutu-Labuan Bajo (Komodo) route, while lately there are travellers taking the Ende-Kelimutu-Labuan Bajo route. The eastern part, however, is a bit off (the beaten track).”
Swisscontact had assisted various communities in Flores in setting up local tourism management organisations (TMOs), developing products and preparing for them to be promoted, with culture and nature being major draws.
Nuetzi said the media would be invited to try the route, and tour operators would be sought out for feedback on whether the route would be best suited for groups, FITs or other special interest travellers.
“Our target is to have East Flores as a separate (package) from the West, as it will (take) too long to cover the whole island,” he said. “We have seen demand for Komodo grow significantly (in the last two years), and we need to attract travellers to go beyond Komodo and give them reasons to stay longer in Flores.”
Flores Destination Management Organisation (DMO), a body comprising regional stakeholders and government representatives from the eight districts in Flores, will soon start trialling the East Flores route and play middleman to local TMOs and tour operators through its Bali office.
Floressa Bali Tours area manager, Heribertus Ajo, said he had already been packaging East Flores, featuring products such as trekking and bird watching tours to attract year-round traffic.
“Larantuka is currently a seasonal destination. (Visitors arrive) only between May and October, with the peak season in May during Easter. The real issue is accessibility,” he added.
Most travellers to Flores arrive via Bali, but Lombok’s new airport is seen as a possible international gateway. As part of the central government’s infrastructure development plans, Labuan Bajo’s and Ende’s airport terminals are also being expanded, while Maumere’s runway is being extended.
Read more in the ATF Daily
