MANDALIKA -- Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Ad Interim Erick Thohir wants Golo Mori in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), to become a new comprehensive special economic zone (KEK).

This means, he said, that the development of the Golo Mori tourism area must pay attention to the surrounding environment. Moreover, Golo Mori is in the Komodo conservation buffer zone. According to him, tourism development cannot destroy nature conservation.

Tourism development must bring the surrounding community to grow. According to Erick, in this area there are forests and regional communities that must be respected as part of development.

He added that the existence of Golo Mori is a form of partnership between the central and regional governments as a tourist destination. In addition, private parties who have invested in this area are part of this comprehensive SEZ.

The Golo Mori area is currently managed by the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). Quoting the official ITDC website, the GMCC area can be reached by road in approximately 30 minutes from Labuan Bajo City.

To reach Golo Mori, there is a 25 km long access road built by the PUPR Ministry and inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on March 14 2023.

The development of the Golo Mori area is the third government assignment for ITDC after The Nusa Dua Bali and The Mandalika Lombok NTB. The development of this area was entrusted to ITDC with state capital participation (PMN) of IDR 470 billion from the 2021 APBN.

ITDC President Director Ari Respati hopes that this area will become a charity for many people. Because, during the construction period of around 1.4 years, many parties were involved, including local residents around the area.