Labuan Bajo, July 26, 2025—In a significant initiative aimed at improving sustainable tourism, the Master of Public Administration (MAP) program at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) conducted field research in Labuan Bajo, a super-priority tourism destination in Indonesia. The research took place from July 21 to 25, 2025, and was a collaborative effort with the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Widya Mandira Catholic University, Kupang. This collaboration was funded through the BIMA scheme of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology.
The primary focus of this research was to answer two key questions regarding the current state and prospects of tourism in Labuan Bajo. First, the researchers aimed to determine which phase Labuan Bajo is in within the Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC). Understanding this phase is crucial for identifying the challenges and opportunities facing the destination as it develops.
Second, this research seeks to identify the policy interventions needed to transition Labuan Bajo toward regenerative tourism. Regenerative tourism emphasizes not only a region’s economic growth but also the preservation of natural and cultural resources, ensuring that tourism benefits local communities and the environment.
The collaboration between the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (MAP) of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and Widya Mandira Catholic University (WMI) Kupang represents a significant step toward developing an academic partnership that can contribute to tourism development in Indonesia. By leveraging the expertise of both institutions, the research team hopes to create a comprehensive understanding of the tourism landscape in Labuan Bajo and propose innovative and practical solutions.