Starting with a daily limit of 1,000 tourists and timed entry for the most popular sites, authorities aim to protect the fragile dragon habitat from overtourism.
LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia — In a decisive move to manage the environmental pressures of global fame, Komodo National Park has officially begun a trial of a strict visitor quota system. The new framework, announced Thursday, will cap daily entries at 1,000 tourists and implement timed entry slots for the park’s most iconic—and overcrowded—vista: Padar Island’s southern viewpoint.
The pilot program, which runs through March 2026 after a delayed start due to recent maritime closures, marks a significant shift toward a conservation-first model for one of Indonesia’s most valuable natural assets. If successful, the quotas will become permanent in April.
A System Designed for Balance and Preservation
Under the new rules administered by the park’s management (BTNK), all visitors must secure reservations through the official “SiOra” application at least one day in advance. The system will display real-time availability, blocking further bookings once the daily 1,000-person cap or specific timed slots are filled.
The most rigorous controls are reserved for Padar Island’s southern lookout, famous for its sweeping view of three crescent beaches. Access will now be divided into three strict windows: 5:00-8:00 AM, 8:00-11:00 AM, and 3:00-6:00 PM, with a maximum of 330 visitors per session. This measure directly targets the park’s peak-season congestion, where daily visitor numbers to Padar have previously surged past 1,700, creating logjams on trails and overwhelming the fragile landscape.
“If the daily quota or time session has been met, then reservations for that option cannot be made,” emphasized BTNK Head Hendrikus Rani Siga.
Addressing the Strain of Success
The 1,000-visitor limit is based on a 2018 study of the park’s carrying capacity. The decision was catalyzed by soaring visitation, which topped 340,000 in 2024 alone. The goal is not merely to reduce numbers but to redistribute them, encouraging a more even flow throughout the year and across the park’s various islands, rather than concentrating the impact on a few honey-pot sites.
For international tourists, including the many who plan trips from Bali, the changes introduce a new layer of planning. Foreign visitors are advised to coordinate with licensed local travel agents or tour operators to facilitate reservations and payments through the SiOra system.
Implications for Bali-Based Travelers and the Future of Eco-Tourism
For the global community in Bali—a primary jumping-off point for Komodo adventures—this policy signals a maturation of Indonesia’s approach to premier natural destinations. It follows similar high-profile interventions, like Bali’s own tourist tax and discussions about managing crowds at sacred sites.
The Komodo quota trial represents a global trend where iconic destinations are trading unchecked access for long-term preservation. It promises a less crowded, more contemplative experience for those who secure a spot, prioritizing the health of the Komodo dragon’s ecosystem and the quality of the visitor encounter over raw tourist volume.
The message is clear: seeing the world’s last dragons is becoming a more exclusive, carefully managed privilege, setting a precedent for how Indonesia stewards its natural wonders in an age of relentless travel demand.
