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THE Ministry of Tourism confirms that tourism activities in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, have generally resumed following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Flores on August 15, 2026.
Based on monitoring by the Ministry of Tourism through the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Implementation Agency (BPOLBF), as of Saturday (08/22), 2026 at 7:00 PM WITA, Komodo National Park remains open with normal activities, and shipping to the area is operating as usual. Komodo International Airport in Labuan Bajo is also operating normally according to flight schedules.
According to Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Labuan Bajo remains open to tourists and tourism activities are generally continuing. However, we continue to urge all tourists and tourism operators to prioritize safety and follow all directions from relevant authorities as aftershocks are still occurring.
“A number of tourist attractions in West Manggarai have also reopened. Rangko Cave has resumed normal tourist activities, with facilities and infrastructure declared safe. Compang Liang Ndara Tourism Village reopened on August 22, 2026, while Wae Lolos Tourism Village continues to welcome tourists,” she said.
Widiyanti explained that the Ministry of Tourism, through the Indonesian Agency for the Protection of Indonesian Tourists (BPOLBF), continues to monitor the condition of hotels, restaurants, cafes, tourist destinations, public facilities, and accessibility in Labuan Bajo and the Flores region. The BPOLBF also operates an information service to respond to tourist inquiries regarding destination conditions and post-earthquake travel safety.
A number of international tourists from Italy, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, as well as groups planning trips to Labuan Bajo and Flores, have received information on developments at their destinations.
“Quick and accurate information is crucial in a situation like this. We must ensure tourist safety while preventing misinformation from causing unnecessary anxiety,” Minister of Tourism affirmed.
Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Implementation Agency (BPOLBF) has coordinated with the Labuan Bajo Port Office (KSOP) to clarify circulating information regarding the temporary closure of shipping to Padar Island and Komodo Port. Based on clarification from relevant authorities, the closure information is incorrect. The current advisory relates to the potential for high waves and strong winds in the southern Sape Strait.
Labuan Bajo Connectivity Remains Normal
In terms of connectivity, Komodo International Airport in Labuan Bajo is operating normally according to the flight schedule as of August 22, 2026. All monitored ports are still serving ship and passenger operations, prioritizing safety. Pioneer services are operating, and there have been no requests for route deviations.
The Minister of Tourism emphasized that conditions in Labuan Bajo need to be distinguished from those in other areas of Flores, which still require further safety assessment and management.
“Conditions vary from region to region. Therefore, we ask tourists continuing their journey from Labuan Bajo to other areas in Flores to always check for the latest information regarding destination conditions, roads, airports, and telecommunications services,” she noted.
She added that as of August 22, 2026, several main land routes in Flores had returned to operation, while others were still under maintenance. Based on data compiled in the BPOLBF report, as of August 22, 2026, at 6:00 PM WIB (Western Indonesian Time), thousands of aftershocks had been recorded following the main Flores earthquake.
Therefore, the Minister of Tourism urged tourists to remain calm but vigilant and to use official government information as a reference when traveling.
“We want tourism activities to continue, but we must not reduce our vigilance. The safety of tourists, tourism workers, and the community must always be put above all else. Tourism recovery must go hand in hand with the recovery of communities affected by the earthquake in various regions of Flores,” he said.
Widiyanti reiterated that Labuan Bajo is a vital entry point for tourism in Flores. As activity in Labuan Bajo begins to recover, we hope this will help maintain the community’s economic activity. However, at the same time, our attention and support must continue to be given to our brothers and sisters in the Flores region who are still in the emergency response and recovery phase.
The Ministry of Tourism, through the BPOLBF (Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Implementation Agency (BPOLBF) will continue to coordinate across sectors, update information on destination conditions and accessibility, and ensure tourists receive accurate information during the post-flores earthquake recovery process. [traveltext.id]
