Flores Tourism Recovers Gradually After August Earthquake

Labuan Bajo — Tourism and transport links across Flores are gradually recovering after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake of 15 August 2026, with key air, sea and road connections operating again by late August, according to Indonesia’s tourism authority and local government reports.

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (BPOLBF) said tourism activities in Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park were largely running normally from 17–22 August, while several inland destinations and transport routes remained under assessment or temporarily closed for safety.

Air, sea and road access

BPOLBF and the ministry reported that Komodo International Airport in Labuan Bajo continued operating and serving flights according to schedule in the week after the quake, following technical safety checks on the runway and navigation facilities.

As of 22 August at 19:00 WITA, Komodo Airport was described as operating normally, with most flights running on time, while some services to other Flores airports, notably H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport in Ende, were still disrupted pending further inspection and clearance.

Official statements also noted that marine access to Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park remained open, with the Labuan Bajo marina port serving vessels and passengers under tightened safety procedures.

Authorities said tourism connectivity was being restored in stages, including overland routes across Flores, but warned that some road sections and inland transport corridors were still undergoing checks and might face temporary closures or restrictions.

Attractions and visitor services

The ministry and BPOLBF confirmed that tourism in Komodo National Park, including boat trips from Labuan Bajo to major islands, continued to operate with visitor numbers returning soon after the earthquake.

They stressed that reopening decisions for destinations elsewhere in Flores would follow detailed field assessments, applying a “safe before open” and “ready before promote” approach to nature and cultural tourism sites.

Officials said several attractions and villages affected by the quake had been closed temporarily as a precaution, while other coastal and marine destinations around Labuan Bajo remained available to visitors.

BPOLBF urged travellers to verify the operating status of accommodation, tour services and destinations before departure, particularly in districts that experienced structural damage to buildings and infrastructure.

The authority also advised visitors to monitor information from BPOLBF, local governments, the meteorological agency BMKG, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), port authorities and airport operators, and to avoid sites that were closed or had not yet been declared safe.

Reconstruction and ongoing assessments

In Manggarai Barat, Regent Edistasius Endi told a local plenary meeting that communication with BNPB indicated stronger support for reconstruction of public facilities and housing damaged by the quake, according to the regency’s official information service.

He said detailed damage verification would guide the phased rebuilding of homes and public infrastructure, and emphasised that government policy would follow objective field data on heavy, moderate and light damage categories.

Local reports describe three recovery stages for affected communities: short-term emergency response to cover basic needs such as food, shelter and health supplies; medium-term reconstruction of priority housing; and longer-term work on relocation and repair of public facilities.

Regency officials also underlined the need to prevent interference or corruption in damage assessments, stating that reconstruction assistance would be based strictly on verified levels of impact.

Safety guidance for travellers

BPOLBF repeatedly called on visitors and tourism operators to put safety ahead of other considerations during the recovery period.

The authority asked travellers to check destination status, ensure their accommodation had been inspected, follow instructions from destination managers and officials, and refrain from visiting areas that were still closed or under restriction.

For marine tourism, BPOLBF recommended monitoring weather, waves and ongoing seismic activity, and following crew and staff guidance at all times.

Officials provided a dedicated tourism information hotline to help travellers and businesses obtain up-to-date details on destination conditions and tourism operations in Labuan Bajo and across Flores.

Sources

• BPOLBF – Aktivitas Pariwisata Flores Berangsur Pulih Pascagempa, Keselamatan Wisatawan Tetap Jadi Prioritas
• Pasardana.id – Pasca Gempa NTT, Aktivitas Pariwisata Labuan Bajo Tetap Berjalan
• Investortrust.id – Labuan Bajo Kembali Normal Seusai Gempa M 7,7, Wisata Tetap Buka
• Traveltext – Labuan Bajo Tourism Backs to Normal, BPOLBF Assesses Earthquake Impact
• Info Mabar – BNPB Nyatakan Komitmen Lebih Konsisten Tangani Rekonstruksi Pasca Gempa di Mabar