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The development of tourism is increasingly becoming a challenge for all actors involved in it, not only the community that is an actor or government as a policy maker but tourism actors also have a great responsibility in protecting the environment, social and local culture in order to stay awake for the sustainability of the company's business certainly involves these three aspects.
The concept of understanding marine tourism has been initiated by WWF Indonesia since 2013 under the Signing Blue, Responsible Marine Tourism program and has been active since 2016. This program aims to help tourism actors improve their understanding of marine tourism to be more responsible.
Divine Diving, one of the Signing Blue member tour operators in Labuan Bajo, has been incorporated since 2018 and already has a high understanding of corporate responsibility towards the environment, social and culture in its workplace. This is evident from the results of the Signing Blue team's assessment and assessor on the performance of the Divine Diving business. In the first assessment Divine Diving has shown awareness and is willing to carry out responsible marine tourism activities by involving external parties (government, community, NGOs, guests and the public).
The percentage of compliance with environmental, socio-economic, and management principles increased from the first year assessment to the second year assessment. Improvement of compliance from the first year to the second year is 65% - 99%, Social Economic Culture (36% -80%), and Management from 91-98%.
 
When the second year Signing Blue assessment is conducted with interviews and observations, observations are adjusted to the Divine Diving trip. The Blue Signing Team and assessors visited 3 dive sites to assess their trip activities, namely Batu Bolong, Sebayur Besar and Manta Point. During diving, the dive guide understands how to give briefings to tourists and is able to explain the code of ethics on how to interact with protected animals and be able to collect data and information about manta rays and shark identities.
Responsibility is not only demonstrated in the pemahan of animals, but Divine Diving also made efforts in reducing the ecological footprint. Divine Diving has minimized the use of water in all activities and saves energy by using solar panels on ships. Divine Diving has included Standard Operating Procedures for the environment, promotion of responsible tourism material in its website content and applying WWF Indonesia's best practices guidelines in conducting its business.
Divine Diving also invites outsiders to engage in an understanding of the surrounding environment by being able to influence partners to jointly implement responsible marine tourism practices by organizing sharing sessions on location management areas, facilitating training on the impact of plastics on marine animals, stranded marine mammals, and is active in monitoring the Komodo National Park Area.
In the socio-economic principle, employees, especially divers, have implemented best practices by promoting tourism destinations and respecting local culture. Other best practices, they are able to work with local partners and recommend local shops, travel agents, hotels and other supporting businesses through the Diving Diving website, even Divine Diving also helps local communities by selling local handicrafts and buying company operations from the community local.
Signing Blue is targeting Diving Diving can reach Starfish 5, which is fully concerned with the sustainability and understanding of marine tourism both internal and external together with partners.

Sophie, an instructor at Dive Komodo, a tour operator company, is giving a briefing to a number of tourists who will be diving in the Komodo National Park (TN). He introduced the crew, existing facilities such as refill water, dive sites, and how to prevent environmental destruction. He informed that this national park is a water conservation area and is recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. “Don't take anything, don't touch the coral because it takes so long to grow,” this woman remembers. Not only as a World Heritage Site, the marine area of Komodo National Park has also been recognized by the Man and Nature Biosphere Reserve and The New Seven Wonders of Nature. The entire area is worthy of conservation. To reduce pressure on regional damage, Signing Blue was formed, an agreement on sustainable and environmentally friendly natural tourism practices. A number of tour operators have joined such as Dive Komodo, Divine Diving and Flores XP. However, there are many more other entrepreneurs who have not been involved.

Susi Yanti Kamil, WWF-Indonesia staff in Labuan Bajo said that the entrepreneurs involved in the Signing Blue program were committed to environmental preservation. Also implementing good practices and ship management to reduce waste. For example using refill water and sorting and collecting organic and inorganic waste. His party also encourages community-based waste management by holding a number of training sessions for community groups. "The garbage collected on the ship is brought ashore to be sorted," he said. If allowed to accumulate on the island it is very easy to be carried out to sea during high tide. Based on a study conducted by the Regional Government of West Manggarai together with the Komodo National Park Office in 2016, around 13 tonnes of waste is produced in the national park area and Labuan Bajo in one day. Most of the sources are in housing, then restaurants, and roadside. At present there is a lot more organic waste, so it is proposed that waste be sorted from the source, then processed by TPS 3R (reduce, recycle, reuse) units, then the rest will just go to the Final Disposal Site (TPA). Preparation of short and long term scenarios regarding the need for facilities, investment costs, and the volume of waste that can be processed must also be carried out.

Martha Muslin, manager of Wicked Diving who actively campaigns for sustainable tourism also sees this waste problem as very crucial if it is not addressed. In one event, he and more than 100 divers from various countries combed the waters of a number of busy islands in the Dive for Debris campaign to transport dozens of sacks of trash. Fabi, a dive master, said that marine activity in the Komodo National Park area is getting higher because the number of visitors has increased. Currently, it is estimated that more than 107 thousand visitors per year come to this area. Not only seeing Komodo dragons on land, many tourists also want to see sharks and manta rays in the sea. "Maybe the manta population [now] is decreasing, before we could see so many of them every day," he said. An area sometimes congested. At sea level snorkeling and under diving activities. It could be that the density of sea activity reduces the comfort of the animals. The more tourists, the more trash. Especially with the development of recreational boats or liveaboards which have been booming in recent years. Living on board tourism or eating and sleeping on a ship in this area makes the risk of waste pollution at sea higher.

Traveling on recreational boats often targets traveling to areas that are still remote, protected, far from government monitoring, with minimal facilities and infrastructure. Even though ecologically, the intended location may be important for certain animals and ecosystems. The 2010 International Sustainable Travel Data, mentions that in the context of sea transportation for recreational purposes, a number of studies have shown environmental impacts. Traveling on a recreational boat means moving all types of tourist activities that are usually carried out on land to being on the water. For this reason, good recreational ship tourism management is not only important to ensure the safety of the tourism activities themselves, but also to maintain the sustainability and beauty of the destination area. For example, pollution due to residual engine oil, waste produced by the crew or passengers of ships, waste water originating from use on ships and containing detergents, and air pollution due to engine noise.

Then, how can tourism contribute to reducing waste so it doesn't pollute the sea? Best Environmental Equitable Practices (BEEP) or Practical Guidelines for Responsible Recreational Ship Operations have been prepared by WWF-Indonesia, supported by the Indonesian Recreational Ship Network (JANGKAR) and academics. A number of good practices recommended by this guide are providing sufficient landfills for Hazardous and Toxic Materials (B3), organic and non-organic waste separately so that it is possible to store it until the ship returns to port. For ships measuring 100 GT or more, they must at least be equipped with oil pollution prevention equipment which includes oil and water separator equipment, sludge tanks, and standard discharge connections. For ships with a number of sailors 15 people up to 100 GT ships must have equipment to prevent contamination by sewage which includes sewage treatment equipment, sewage crushing equipment, and/or sewage storage tanks, as well as standard disposal connections.

On land, waste disposal is carried out through pumps/discharge connections at ports which will be forwarded to waste treatment facilities on land. Where pump/sewer connection facilities are not available, there are several chemical (biodegradable) cleaners or mechanical devices that can be used to reduce solid and hazardous waste before disposal. Guidance for tourists in principle is to educate tourists not to throw garbage in the sea, including small trash such as cigarette butts. Tourists are asked to manage their waste during the trip. According to data from The United Nations of Environment (UNEP) in 2001, most tourists visiting developing countries use ten times more water than local people. This pattern is certainly not efficient in a voyage, especially if the ship is leaning in areas where clean water is scarce. For gallons of drinking water, tourists must refill it, so there is no need to bring packaging to reduce waste. Management of clean water on board must also be considered by the crew.

*See the article https://www.mongabay.co.id/2017/12/18/mengurai-tekanan-limbah-laut-di-kawasan-taman-nasional-komodo/

Staying at a hotel with an exotic beach view right in front of your eyes is the culmination of traveling. Puri Sari Hotel, located in Labuan Bajo, has stunning natural surroundings for anyone looking to stay in Labuan Bajo, Flores. This beautiful archipelago in eastern Indonesia can attract all kinds of tourists, both local and foreign, as accounted by the number of visits in the years before the pandemic. This is a golden opportunity for businesses after the pandemic period has passed.

Puri Sari Hotel in Labuan Bajo has its own special features, with its natural surroundings, as well as a variety of unique food on the menu. The warm hospitality of the Puri Sari Hotel staff can be seen clearly from the positive guest comments column on the Tripadvisor page. The hotel can also handle guest complaints quickly and well, where Tripadvisor has awarded them the "Certificate of Excellence" award.

Puri Sari Hotel was established in 2008 and was initially operational with 11 rooms. The addition of rooms and villas occurred in 2016 to meet the surge of domestic and foreign tourists who came to Labuan Bajo. Currently, Puri Sari Hotel has 24 deluxe rooms and 4 villas decorated with local handicraft ornaments to promote Manggarai culture and customs.

Committed to Protecting the Environment

Commitment to environmental care and responsible operational practices is proven by the existence of operational guidelines in all hotel departments. The management, supervisors, and employees perform their respective tasks in each department to support water, electricity and energy savings. They also successfully invite guests to participate in the saving movement.

Puri Sari Hotel together with business partners and communities who care about the environment actively participate in activities such as Beach Clean Up on a regular basis. It does not stop there, Puri Sari Hotel carries out beach cleaning activities every day on the beach around the hotel area. Not using single-use packaging is one of Puri Sari Hotel's initiatives to control excessive waste. With the availability of drinking water bottles made of glass, which can be refilled at any time at the drinking water dispenser, guests can also contact the reception for a refill. To control the use of single-use plastic packaging, Puri Sari Hotel no longer uses single-use soap and shampoo. Each room has a soap and shampoo dispenser that automatically encourages each guest to use as much as they need in the area around the hotel. 

Puri Sari Hotel has an initiative to save electricity and reduce general energy consumption, one of the efforts that has been made is to replace all conventional bulbs with Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs that have low electricity consumption. Puri Sari Hotel encourages and urges all staff and visitors to save electrical energy by placing signs to only use lights when necessary. Another effort to save electricity consumption is with an automatic water pump.

Information in room to reducing Plastic Footprint

Source: Signing Blue | WWF-Indonesia

In addition to energy saving efforts, Puri Sari Hotel also has water saving efforts, by placing written information in the rooms, including an appeal to only use sufficient water and giving guests the option to change linen when necessary to minimize water use. Many guests have realized the importance of saving water and energy, therefore many guests are willing to follow the savings initiatives suggested by the hotel. Puri Sari Hotel have had guests who wanted to change their bed linen every three days. This effort shows that by doing small things, anyone can contribute to a positive cause by using only what is needed. As stated by Sigit Endra Setyawan as General Manager of Puri Sari Hotel, "We put a lot of calls in our rooms to save energy and water, so many guests understand our appeals and sometimes for linen or towels, guests ask to be replaced every three days."

Puri Sari Hotel’s beachfront restaurant mainstay menus such as Tenggiri Sambal Matah and Mackerel Fish Steak are favorites for local and foreign tourists. Puri Sari Hotel innovates to attract outside visitors and hotel guests by holding the Sunset Bar which serves a light menu at sunset and Barbecue Night every weekend. Food ingredients such as vegetables are obtained from local markets and fish are obtained from local fishermen who follow appropriate fishing guidelines. This is done in order to maintain the sustainability of the ecosystem both at sea and on land. In terms of waste management, Puri Sari Hotel sorts restaurant waste and other area waste into appropriate waste categories, namely organic waste, non-organic waste, glass, and most recently medical waste, namely disposable masks. These wastes are then distributed to reliable waste management companies. Organic waste such as food waste from restaurants and leaves are placed in a special place in the hotel area to be used as compost. Apart from that, Puri Sari Hotel has made a waste water filtration treatment system to allow waste water to be reused for watering plants.

To maintain the sustainability of the local ecosystem, organic waste is decomposed and In turn used as fertilizer. This routine activity carried out by Puri Sari Hotel is an inspiration for staying guests as well as tourists and business partners. Moreover, solar panels as a source of environmentally friendly electric energy are planned and will soon be implemented. With an aligned vision and concepts towards environmental preservation and sustainability, Puri Sari Hotel became a member of Signing Blue in 2016. Puri Sari Hotel has proven that they have not endangered species in the selection of products used in its restaurant and rooms. They support fishing that is not excessive and have guidelines in accord with the Signing Blue standard. The positive impact has been seen since Puri Sari Hotel joined Signing Blue, an internationally recognized program from WWF-Indonesia, a great milestone for the image of Puri Sari Hotel.

Adapting During a Pandemic

During this pandemic, Puri Sari Hotel strives to continue innovating and providing the best experience and service for their guests. The number of occupancies of the Puri Sari Hotel has decreased significantly since March 2020, with an average hotel occupancy of 70% to 80% of which 90% are foreign guests. Puri Sari Hotel’s revenue was severely hit due to a decrease in guest visits, temporarily closing the hotel was not an option for Puri Sari Hotel, but instead they took this opportunity to make positive changes with a concept adapted for the local market and implementing the Cleanliness Health Safety and Environment Sustainability (CHSE) 'New Normal' protocol. This is an attempt to survive by targeting local guests, as the Indonesian government's strict regulations on closing international borders. The management implemented the CHSE protocol and created a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regarding health, cleanliness, and increased service standards according to the 'new normal' in order to continue to serve guests with excellence. One of the innovations made by Puri Sari Hotel is to make changes by creating a half-open (half-outdoor) meeting room in the restaurant area of the main building of the hotel.

The low occupancy rate did not stop Puri Sari Hotel from making positive changes, instead they used this period to train all staff and employees on standardizing guest services in the 'New Normal' era. Puri Sari Hotel's top priority is cleanliness, this is not only for the welfare of potential guests, but also for the staff. In accordance with new rules and regulations, checking body temperature, wearing masks, regularly washing hands, keeping a safe distance, and disinfecting the room after use have become standard practices in the new SOPs.

Every hotel visitor is required to check body temperature, must wear a mask, wash hands with the hand sanitizer provided by the hotel, and pay attention to keeping a distance for the comfort and safety of all. These efforts have been verified and certified by the local government authorities in charge of the hospitality sector in relation to the new ‘New Normal’ protocols and procedures.

In addition to standard health protocols in accordance with procedures that have been verified by the government, Puri Sari Hotel already has an emergency response team consisting of selected staff who have been trained for medical emergencies. First aid kits are available in every area of the hotel, in addition, isolation rooms are also available at the hotel if a guest develops symptoms of COVID-19. Currently Puri Sari Hotel has also collaborated with local hospitals in responding to and handling all possible emergencies.

The future hopes for Puri Sari Hotel are to get full support from the local government and the central government to develop the Labuan Bajo Area. With major infrastructure and tourist site developments, Puri Sari Hotel is ready to welcome local and foreign visitors after the implementation of the 'New Normal' protocol effectively and the reopening of Indonesian tourism doors. Thus, Labuan Bajo remains a world tourist destination that has a variety of exotic natural beauties and is perfectly preserved as a sustainable Indonesian tourism asset. Of course, this is a shared hope of all tourism businesses in Indonesia.

In a quiet corner of Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, lies a small village that holds extraordinary natural charm—from its rugged landscapes to the depths of its seas. Its name: Rangko Village. This tiny settlement is home to one mesmerizing icon—Rangko Cave. Since its discovery, the cave has captivated every visitor with its crystal-clear saltwater pool and stalactites that hang like nature’s intricate carvings.

Yet such beauty cannot endure without the care and love of those who call this place home. With that spirit in mind, and on the recommendation of the local Tourism Office, the community formed the Rangko Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis Rangko) in 2018. The group was established with a core mission: to ensure sustainable tourism in Rangko, especially in managing the conservation of Rangko Cave.

The impact has been visible. Tourist visits to Rangko Cave have steadily increased, with nearly 1,000 visitors annually, around 90% of whom are international travelers. This growing interest is fuelled by the cave’s unique appeal and natural beauty. For those seeking the best experience in Rangko, the ideal time to visit is between March and August, when the weather is stable and sea conditions are more favourable.

Over time, Pokdarwis Rangko has expanded its reach, embracing more local attractions. Today, Rangko is known not only for its famous cave. In collaboration with WWF-Indonesia, the community has introduced access to other stunning destinations such as Batu Dua snorkeling area, rich with colorful marine life; Pasir Timbul, a sandbar that appears to float in the middle of the blue sea; Gua Intan, a cave that holds silent natural wonders; Toroh Mirah Beach, with its enchanting coastal colours; and Nanga Lumu Mangrove Forest, a vital habitat for coastal ecosystems.

Among these treasures, one activity has emerged as a new highlight of Rangko’s tourism experience: kayaking through the mangrove forest. This activity offers a peaceful, enjoyable, and educational journey, where visitors can witness firsthand the uniqueness of mangrove ecosystems and learn about the importance of coastal conservation.

To enhance this experience, Pokdarwis Rangko partnered with Kayak Asia Indonesia, aiming to create a more professional, safe, and sustainable kayaking program. The goal is to ensure that visitors don’t just stop by for photos, but truly engage with, understand, and fall in love with the natural world of Rangko.

Beyond visitor experiences, Pokdarwis Rangko is also spearheading a vital initiative in collaboration with the village government: the development of a Village Regulation (Perdes) that will govern tourism management.

“Through this village regulation, we hope to involve all tourism operators in ensuring visitor safety and sharing accurate information about the destinations,” said Hanafi, Chair of Pokdarwis Rangko. 

“It will also regulate boat transportation for visitors and include provisions on marine protection, especially in the coastal areas of Tanjung Boleng Village.”

More than just a tourism destination, Rangko Village is now part of Tanjung Boleng Village’s journey toward recognition as an OECM (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure)—a status that honors effective conservation efforts beyond formally protected areas. This initiative is driven by strong collaboration between local government, village authorities, community groups, and WWF-Indonesia.

However, the path is not without challenges. Public education remains a key hurdle, particularly in introducing the concept of conservation areas to local communities.

“We’ve conducted outreach with WWF-Indonesia in Tanjung Boleng, but not everyone fully understands yet. Some still view the sea as private property, whereas in reality, there are legal mechanisms governing marine tenure,” explained Robertus Eddy Surya, Head of the Provincial Marine and Fisheries Agency for East Manggarai, Manggarai, and West Manggarai.
“This becomes a challenge, as some fishermen feel their space is being restricted.”

He also stressed the importance of aligning conservation policies with provincial regulations. If an area holds conservation potential, the approach must convince communities that it can still be used sustainably, as long as it is properly managed and organized.

For the people of Rangko, OECM is not just a conservation label—it is hope. Hope that every corner of their village will remain intact, and that each resident can continue to live in harmony with the nature they so lovingly protect.
Pokdarwis Rangko stands as a guardian of this dream, preserving heritage and proving that tourism and conservation can go hand in hand. In Rangko, the future is being built—one paddle stroke, one step, and one warm smile at a time.