PRESS RELEASE
KOMODO NATIONAL PARK CONSERVATION FUND
Valid from 1st May 2006

Introduction of new conservation fee for Komodo National Park aims to meet important conservation and community development objectives and add value to the visitor experience by enhancing sustainable tourism development.

LABUAN BAJO, WEST MANGGARAI, EAST NUSA TENGGARA, 20 April 2006

The Head of West Manggarai Regency Drs Fidelis Pranda announced today that PT Putri Naga Komodo (PNK) will start collecting contributions for a Conservation Fund on May 1 2006 from all visitors to World Heritage-listed and Man/Biosphere Reserve Komodo National Park (KNP) in the context of the Komodo Collaborative Management Initiative (KCMI).

It was also announced that PNK would collect, concurrently, the pre-existing West Manggarai compensation fee and National Park fee on behalf of the West Manggarai Regency and the Komodo National Park Authority (BTNK), respectively.

All contributions to the Conservation Fund will be used to support nature conservation, community development and ecotourism infrastructure development in the Park as well as to support destination-marketing programs, regionally and internationally.

“Komodo National Park is an invaluable asset to all people in Indonesia and, in particular, the people of West Manggarai, but also to the international community,” said Drs. Fidelis in a speech delivered to key Park stakeholders, adding that “only through a collaborative management approach can its unique marine and terrestrial bio-diversity be preserved for future generations.”

Drs. Fidelis also noted that sustainable tourism development in the Park would bring a host of direct and indirect benefits to the local community in the form of job creation and improved infrastructure.

The contribution depends on the length of stay in KNP. For the period May 2006 – December 2006, contributions per visitor are as follows:

Foreign Visitor, KITAS Holder
01 – 03 days US$ 15.00
04 – 08 days US$ 25.00
09 – 15 days US$ 35.00
16 days or more US$ 45.00

Indonesian Nationality
01 – 03 days Rp. 75,000,-
04 – 08 days Rp. 125,000,-
09 – 15 days Rp. 175,000,-
16 days or more US$ 45 Rp. 225,000,-

Nusa Tenggara Timur Resident: Rp. 10,000,-

Indonesian Student: Rp. 1,000,-

A 50% discount will be granted for foreign visitors aged below 16 years.

Contributions are payable in US$ but the Indonesia rupiah is equivalent at the prevailing rate. Visitors will receive an entrance ticket that remains valid for one visit.

The National Park fee and West Manggarai compensation fee both amount to Rp.20,000, valid for three days, for Indonesian residents and foreign nationals.