BPOLBF opens tourism information center after Flores earthquake
The Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority has activated a Tourism Information Center and WhatsApp hotline to provide verified, up-to-date information on destinations, access routes and travel options in Flores after the August 2026…
Editor: Mursyid Sonsang
· Event date: · 4 min read
Labuan Bajo — The Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (BPOLBF) has activated a Tourism Information Center to help visitors and local tourism businesses navigate changing conditions in Flores following the 15 August 2026 earthquake and related volcanic activity, according to BPOLBF and Indonesian media reports published on 9 September 2026.
The service is intended to give travellers access to verified, up-to-date information on destinations and access routes, complementing wider efforts to restore confidence in visiting Labuan Bajo and the surrounding Flores region after the emergency phase.
Tourism Information Center and contact details
BPOLBF’s Tourism Information Center (TIC) provides consultation on tourism conditions in Labuan Bajo and Flores during the post-earthquake recovery period.
According to BPOLBF’s public information and a report by Metro TV’s online portal, visitors and stakeholders can reach the TIC through BPOLBF’s WhatsApp hotline and at the authority’s Labuan Bajo office.
- WhatsApp: +62 811-3879-4555 (BPOLBF public information hotline)
- Office: Jln. Soekarno-Hatta No. 88, Labuan Bajo
- Hours: Daily, 08.00–16.00 WITA, for TIC consultations during the emergency response period
BPOLBF describes the number as a public information service channel for tourism conditions in Floratama (Flores, Alor, Lembata and Bima), which has been adapted as the main contact point for the TIC in response to the earthquake and volcanic events.
What information the center provides
Riaurealita.com reports that the TIC focuses on three main areas: current destination conditions, access routes to tourism sites, and recommended travel patterns during the recovery period.
The service can inform travellers which attractions and tourism activities are operating, which routes may be affected by earthquake impacts or volcanic activity, and which destinations have been confirmed safe and reopened for visits.
BPOLBF also offers suggestions for city-based itineraries in Labuan Bajo where visitors may need to postpone trips to other parts of Flores while inspections and repairs are completed.
The individual operating status of each attraction is not listed in the TIC announcements, and BPOLBF has separately noted that some destinations and tourism facilities in Flores remain under assessment and repair. Visitors are therefore encouraged to ask about specific routes and sites rather than assume uniform conditions across the region.
How travellers and businesses are advised to use the service
BPOLBF urges travellers to rely on official channels and trusted sources when planning or adjusting trips to Labuan Bajo and Flores after the earthquake, warning that unverified information can cause unnecessary concern and lead to unsuitable travel decisions.
Prospective visitors are advised to contact the TIC before confirming departure, specifying their intended travel dates, destinations, routes and activities so that BPOLBF staff can provide tailored updates.
Local tour operators, accommodation providers and guides can use the same contact points to check conditions before confirming activities, including any remaining damage to facilities or temporary restrictions on certain destinations. Sharing verified information with guests is seen as part of broader efforts to keep tourism running safely while recovery work continues.
Emergency and recovery context
BPOLBF and regional media state that the TIC was activated as part of a broader crisis management response following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Flores on 15 August 2026.
The Riaurealita.com report notes that the service also responds to eruptions at Mount Ili Lewotolok and Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, as well as heightened alert status at Mount Anak Ranaka and Mount Iya, which together have influenced travel decisions across Flores.
BPOLBF and the Ministry of Tourism have emphasized that core tourism activity in Labuan Bajo, including visits to Komodo National Park, has resumed and is operating normally, even as assessments and repairs continue at affected sites elsewhere in Flores.
While tourism in Labuan Bajo is reported to be “back to normal” in terms of visitor flows and sailings, authorities continue to update lists of damaged facilities and destinations, and some village-based tourism sites remain closed pending safety checks and reconstruction.
Against this backdrop, BPOLBF’s TIC and WhatsApp hotline are positioned as practical tools for travellers and businesses to obtain destination-specific, verified information during the ongoing recovery in Flores.
Sources
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