Tourism Ministry to Introduce Emergency SOPs for Flores Destinations After NTT Earthquake
Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism announced plans to accelerate tourism recovery in Flores, including Labuan Bajo, following an earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The ministry aims to strengthen standard operating procedures (SOPs) for emergency response, evacuation routes, and crisis communication systems to give tourists and businesses clear guidance during emergencies.
Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism has announced plans to strengthen emergency preparedness at tourism destinations in Flores following an earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province. A photo taken on August 29, 2026, shows several traditional pinisi boats docked in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, indicating that local tourism infrastructure continues to operate.
The ministry's plan includes developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for emergency response, establishing clear evacuation routes, and building crisis communication systems for tourists and businesses. The goal is to ensure that visitors and tourism operators have clear guidance to follow if an emergency situation arises.
While the announcement does not detail the direct impact of the earthquake, it appears aimed at both accelerating tourism recovery in Flores and strengthening long-term disaster preparedness. Labuan Bajo, a key gateway to Komodo National Park, attracts large numbers of foreign tourists, making these new SOPs potentially significant for travelers visiting the region.
Things to Consider
If you plan to visit Labuan Bajo or Flores, confirm emergency evacuation routes and contact procedures with your accommodation or tour operator in advance. Familiarize yourself with earthquake response steps (nearest high ground, how to check tsunami warnings) before departure, and be ready to follow instructions from local tourist information centers or accommodation staff. Those staying in Bali are not directly affected as NTT is a separate region, but travelers planning trips to NTT should monitor updates from the Ministry of Tourism and local authorities.
Source: ANTARA News Bali