BBKSDA NTT Reopens Three Nature Tourism Areas With 50-Visitor Cap

Labuan Bajo — — The East Nusa Tenggara Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA NTT) has reopened visitor access to three nature tourism areas following the August 2026 Flores earthquake, while keeping a strict daily cap at TWA 17 Pulau and imposing humanitarian and safety rules for visitors.

The three reopened areas are Taman Wisata Alam (TWA) Ruteng, TWA 17 Pulau and TWA Gugus Pulau Teluk Maumere, according to an announcement reported by IDN Times NTB. The agency stated that the decision was taken after reviewing earthquake monitoring data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) and assessing the condition of facilities and on‑site personnel.

BBKSDA NTT stressed that reopening does not mean every part of the sites is free of risk and said access will continue to be evaluated in line with the evolving disaster situation. The caution follows a series of strong seismic events, including a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that damaged infrastructure across Flores in mid‑August 2026, although key roads and airports have since been declared functional by national authorities.

What visitors can and cannot do

According to BBKSDA NTT’s reopening notice as quoted by IDN Times NTB, visitors are allowed to return to the three designated areas but must avoid locations considered dangerous, including cliffs or steep slopes, damaged structures and ground cracks. The agency also instructed tourists to identify evacuation routes and assembly points at each site to support preparedness in case of further seismic activity or other emergencies.

BBKSDA NTT has prohibited tourists from entering refugee locations unless they are involved in officially coordinated aid distribution or other recognised humanitarian activities. Visitors are asked not to photograph or record earthquake survivors or shelter areas without consent, in order to protect the privacy and dignity of displaced residents.

The agency further urged visitors to use clean water and other shared facilities prudently so that tourism does not place additional pressure on communities still recovering from the disaster. Travellers who wish to help are encouraged to channel assistance through official emergency posts coordinated with local government rather than visiting shelter areas on their own initiative.

TWA 17 Pulau has a daily quota

The tightest operating limit applies to TWA 17 Pulau. BBKSDA NTT has set a maximum of 50 visitors per day at this site. The quota is divided between 25 foreign tourists and 25 Indonesian tourists, reflecting what the agency described as a precautionary approach as nature tourism gradually resumes after the earthquake.

BBKSDA NTT also restricted access for vulnerable groups at TWA 17 Pulau, including people with disabilities, older visitors and tourists who require special assistance. The agency framed these limits as a safety measure during the recovery period, but did not publicly detail how long they will remain in place or how eligibility would be assessed.

Before the disaster, Gugus Pulau Teluk Maumere had recorded more than 2,000 visitors on a single day in mid‑August 2026, according to national tourism reporting. The new cap at TWA 17 Pulau is therefore a significant reduction compared with peak traffic in the wider area and is intended to keep visitor numbers at a level BBKSDA NTT can manage under current conditions.

At a glance

• Reopening date: 30 August 2026 (BBKSDA NTT announcement)
• Areas: TWA Ruteng; TWA 17 Pulau; TWA Gugus Pulau Teluk Maumere
• TWA 17 Pulau quota: 50 visitors per day, split between foreign and domestic tourists
• Key restrictions: Avoid hazardous terrain; respect evacuation routes; do not enter refugee sites or record survivors and shelters without permission; limit use of shared local resources.

Conditions remain under review

BBKSDA NTT has indicated that the reopening decision is based not only on BMKG’s seismic monitoring but also on the state of visitor facilities and the readiness of staff. The agency and other authorities continue to review conditions in affected areas, including volcanic and seismic activity around TWA Ruteng, where Gunung Anak Ranakah has been placed under heightened alert and certain activities have been temporarily closed.

Given ongoing evaluation, operating conditions at the three sites may change if safety assessments, facilities or staffing shift. Travellers are advised to follow on‑site instructions from rangers and local officials, which take precedence over general reopening information issued earlier.

The reopening of these nature tourism areas comes as roads, airports and other critical infrastructure across Flores have largely returned to service, supporting both recovery efforts and the gradual return of visitors. However, nearby communities remain in varying stages of rebuilding, making adherence to humanitarian guidance around shelters and shared resources an important part of responsible travel in East Nusa Tenggara.

Sources

• IDN Times NTB – "Buka TWA, BBKSDA NTT Imbau Wisatawan Tak Rekam Pengungsi Gempa Flores"
• Media Indonesia – "Aktivitas Kegempaan Meningkat, Gunung Anak Ranakah NTT Ditutup untuk Wisata dan Pendakian"
• Liputan6 – "9 Ruas Jalan Nasional Terdampak Gempa NTT Kembali Fungsional"
• CNBC Indonesia – "Situasi Terbaru di Semua Bandara di Flores Usai Gempa M7,7 Hantam NTT"
• Metro TV News – "Pariwisata di NTT Pascagempa, Ini Daftar Destinasi yang Tutup"