Indonesia halts plans to close Komodo Island
It looks like the dragons of Komodo Island will continue welcoming wide-eyed tourists.
There have been months of speculation about a possible one-year closure of the island but now the government has pledged to keep it open.
"Komodo Island will not be closed. We will rearrange the island, in collaboration with the local government and related institutions," said coordinating maritime affairs minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.
However, there will be a strict carrying capacity and restrictions on numbers, with a new ticketing system rolling out.
The decision was made after discussions with various ministries, environmental and local agencies.
Contrary to reports of a dwindling dragon population due to tourism, the numbers are relaitively stable.
Government data says there are 1,727 Komodo dragons on the island.
Dragons are also found on a handful of neighbouring islands including Rinca.
Central government funds of about US$7 million will be spent on rehabilitation of Komodo Island which will include the construction of a Komodo Research Center.
Although it will stay open, Komodo Island could still become the preserve of tourists with deep pockets only.
There has been a suggestion it will become a ‘premium’ daytrip destination with sky-high prices to match.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt