Labuan Bajo, one of Indonesia’s super-priority tourist destinations, has recently seen a surprising surge of visitors from China. In April 2025 alone, Chinese tourists dominated the arrival charts to Labuan Bajo, and it even outnumbers local travelers. But what sparked this sharp increase?
According to Acting President Director of the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Agency (BPOLBF), Frans Teguh, it’s a mix of strong promotion and better access. “The high number of Chinese tourists visiting Labuan Bajo last April was due to several factors. The first is the promotion of Labuan Bajo as a destination carried out by both the Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar) and tourism industry players,” Frans explained on Monday (30/6/2025).
Beyond promotion, the game-changer has been the launch of direct flights connecting Labuan Bajo with major Southeast Asian hubs. “The second is because of the direct flight access from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to Labuan Bajo,” he added. Both cities act as international travel hubs, channeling tourists from around the world, including China.
AirAsia has flown the Malaysia–Labuan Bajo route three times per week since September 2024. Meanwhile, Jetstar Asia began direct Singapore–Labuan Bajo flights in March 2025, with two weekly departures. These routes have not only made travel more convenient but also dramatically boosted foreign tourist arrivals.
BPOLBF data shows that in April 2025, Chinese tourists made up 28.6% of total arrivals out of roughly 42,000 visitors. Following China were travelers from Indonesia, the UK, and the US, each contributing about 14.3%. Meanwhile, tourists from Australia, Europe, the Philippines, and Canada accounted for around 7.1%.
Despite this positive trend, the rapid growth in tourism has also raised safety concerns. Shortly after BPOLBF celebrated the rising numbers, Deputy Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Denpasar, Zhu Yu, called for improvements in safety standards and service quality.
“Safety protection facilities and early warning systems at some tourist sites still need improvement,” Zhu noted in a statement on Thursday (26/6). He also urged the tourism industry to improve professional standards to meet international expectations.
Read also: BMKG Explains Why Dry Season Nights in Jakarta Feel Colder Than Ever
His comments came in the wake of a tragic incident on June 18, 2025. A Chinese tourist, Qiu Yan (32), drowned while snorkeling at Long Pink Beach in Komodo National Park. Reports revealed she was snorkeling without a life jacket, and the guide accompanying her failed to enforce safety protocols, sparking criticism over SOP violations.
Labuan Bajo’s booming popularity highlights the destination’s potential as a global magnet for tourists. Yet, as these numbers rise, so does the urgency to ensure safety measures keep pace— protecting both travelers and Indonesia’s reputation as a world-class destination.
