Flores Taps Religious Tourism and Komodo Wonders for Global Appeal

TheIndonesia.co - The Labuan Bajo Flores Authority (BPOLBF) is set to host a virtual business forum titled the Virtual Table Top Business Meeting Pilgrimage Tourism Flores – East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on May 15th, 2025. This initiative aims to boost the branding and promotion of Flores and NTT as a premier Catholic pilgrimage destination in Indonesia, while also embracing the region’s extraordinary natural beauty and biodiversity.

According to Antara News Agency, Acting CEO of BPOLBF, Frans Teguh, this business meeting is a strategic effort to diversify national tourism offerings by promoting spiritual travel in East Nusa Tenggara.

“Promoting Flores and NTT as pilgrimage destinations means integrating Catholic spiritual journeys into curated tour packages, working closely with tour operators and travel agents,” said Frans in a statement from Labuan Bajo on this week.

He emphasized that religious tourism in Flores should not be promoted in isolation, but embedded in comprehensive travel experiences. These packages will not only cater to spiritual needs but also support the preservation of the region’s unique cultural heritage and the centuries-old tradition of Catholicism on the island.

“Flores and NTT have deep-rooted Catholic spirituality, thousands of churches, historical pilgrimage sites, and rich cultural traditions,” he said. “These elements form a strong foundation for building a distinctive, meaningful spiritual tourism narrative.”

But spiritual travel is just one piece of the larger mosaic. The broader tourism potential of Nusa Tenggara lies not only in its sacred sites but also in its breathtaking natural landscapes and rare wildlife — most famously, the legendary Komodo dragon. Often dubbed the last living dragon on Earth, this ancient species can only be found in the Komodo National Park, just a short trip from Labuan Bajo, the main tourism gateway of East Nusa Tenggara.

By expanding the narrative to include both spiritual heritage and the region’s unparalleled biodiversity, East Nusa Tenggara is positioning itself as a multifaceted destination — where visitors can reflect at historic chapels in the morning and marvel at prehistoric reptiles in the afternoon.

Frans noted that as Indonesia’s tourism industry evolves, the government must continuously encourage the development of specialized tourism segments through collaborative, sustainable models. The Flores pilgrimage route represents one such opportunity — blending cultural preservation with meaningful travel experiences that also offer economic benefits to local communities.

Through the upcoming virtual forum, BPOLBF hopes to optimize the region’s religious tourism potential by designing curated pilgrimage packages, mapping sustainable travel patterns, and facilitating real business transactions between travel industry stakeholders.

“This isn’t just a promotional activity,” Frans explained.

“It’s a shared commitment to safeguarding the spiritual and cultural soul of Flores, while inviting the world to discover its natural and sacred wonders,” he stated.

The forum is open to both buyers and sellers, and registration is free. Buyers can register at https://bit.ly/Registration10Buyers, and sellers at https://bit.ly/Registation26Seller, with the deadline set for May 8, 2025.

For more information, follow BPOLBF on Instagram (@bpolbf), Facebook (BPO Labuan Bajo Flores), or visit their official website at labuanbajoflores.id.